NEW EDITORS FOR ASOR MONOGRAPH SERIES
As of January 1, 2015, a change in editorial positions for two of ASOR’s monograph series – the Archaeological Reports Series (ASOR-ARS) and the Annual of ASOR (AASOR) was implemented. Hanan Charaf is now the editor of ASOR-ARS, replacing Kevin McGeough who has edited the series for the past six years. Kevin McGeough is taking over editorial responsibilities of AASOR from Joseph Greene who served as editor of AASOR for the past six years (and ARS for six years before that). Kevin and Hanan wish to extend their deepest gratitude to Joe Greene for helping steer the publishing boat for more than a decade and for leaving a house in order. The new editors are committed to seeing manuscripts that are already under preparation to completion; but at the same time, are excited about the prospects of taking each series in new directions in keeping with ASOR’s evolving and expanding membership and the new publication realities of the digital age.
The Archaeological Report Series (ARS), whose first published volume appeared in 1991, is devoted to the publication of:
- final excavation reports
- surveys
- ethnoarchaeological fieldwork
All time periods are considered for publication and excavation projects need not be ASOR-affiliated. ARS will continue to publish works on those regions ASOR has been historically involved with, but will also seek novel scholarship on regions and topics beyond the boundaries of its traditional mandate, and of interest to its growing and diverse membership. There are no length requirements for ARS and volumes are not published on any fixed schedule. The most recent volume, ARS 21, Pyla-Koutsopetria I: Archaeological Survey of an Ancient Coastal Town has just been printed.
ARS also publishes the CAARI Monographs, a sub-series dedicated to Cyprus. This sub-series may include conference proceedings, final excavation reports, and essays pertaining to the history and archaeology of Cyprus. Cyprus and the Balance of Empires: Art and Archaeology from Justinian I to the Coeur de Lion is the most recent CAARI Monograph and is available for purchase through the ISD website.
The Annual of ASOR was first published in 1920 making it ASOR’s oldest continuing publication, although its role has changed dramatically since its inception. Originally, AASOR published articles that would now be published in BASOR or JCS. Later, it became a venue for the presentation of site reports and cuneiform tablets (specifically the Nuzi materials). Both of these types of publications are now more appropriate for ARS or the JCS Supplemental Series. In recent years, a variety of materials have been offered as AASOR volumes – festschriften, collections of essays, final reports, and the results of historic projects. Given its eclectic past contents and the mandates of ASOR’s other series and journals, now is a good time to clarify the mandate of the Annual. Although still retaining flexibility in what can be published in the Annual, Kevin hopes to concentrate on a few key areas. AASOR will be a good location for the publication of:
- preliminary archaeological reports
- text editions
- the announcement of new finds that are of immediate interest to ASOR’s membership
- specialist studies that are perhaps too long or otherwise unsuitable for journal publication
- articles that are better suited for a monograph/reference format as opposed to a journal presentation
In keeping with ASOR’s ethical and professional obligation to assist in the distribution of the results of our membership’s research, legacy projects may be presented in AASOR. Finally, with AASOR’s long history as part of our organization, the Annual will be a place to present research or materials related to the history of ASOR and the archaeological exploration of the regions of ASOR’s mandate. There are no limits on maximum length. The Annual is published at least once a year. The previous Annual, The Nabataean Temple at Khirbet et- Tannur, Jordan, was published as two volumes (numbers 67 and 68).
Hanan and Kevin are very excited about steering these series through the next three years. Information on the submission process for both series can be found on the ASOR website.
For further information on ARS, please contact Hanan at hcharaf@yahoo.fr
For further information on AASOR, please contact Kevin at mcgekm@uleth.ca
