Dear Histarch List Members:
As you may or may not know, THE MICHIGAN ARCHAEOLOGIST is one of the few
remaining outlets for the publication of archaeological papers and reports
specific to Michigan and the Upper Great Lakes region. Over the past 40+ years, the
journal has played a number of highly significant roles. First and foremost,
it has served as the primary interface between the avocational and
professional communities, providing a publication venue that has been effectively used by
both. This interaction has resulted in the publication of an immense body of
comparative data that continues to prove critical to local, regional and
national research efforts. Second, it has served as a primary conduit for the
dissemination of regional archaeological information to the general public. And
finally, it has provided a publication outlet for many of our most eminent
scholars, as well as many first-time authors pursuing their studies at regional
colleges and universities.
Unfortunately, despite the yeoman efforts of its current editor, Dr. Jan
Brashler of Grand Valley State University, the journal has not been able to
attract a sufficient number of articles and papers to maintain a regular and/or
timely publication schedule. As THE MICHIGAN ARCHAEOLOGIST represents such an
important publication venue for all members of our state's archaeological
community, the Conference on Michigan Archaeology's Executive Board has determined it
appropriate to actively solicit our members, fellows and other interested
parties to contribute to:
"THE 5-YEAR / 50-MANUSCRIPT PROJECT"
Currently, THE MICHIGAN ARCHAEOLOGIST has the ability to publish about 200
pages/year. Over the course of a five-year period, that amounts to at least
1000 pages of publication space. Assuming an average length of 20 pages/article,
that means that approximately 50 articles will be required to fill-out a
five-year publication schedule.
Remember, these articles are not being written for AMERICAN ANTIQUITY … nor
are they being submitted to simply comply with basic state or federal
requirements. What they should be are informative summary articles, useful to both the
avocational and professional communities, ranging in size from 5-100+ pages,
that deal with prehistoric and historic period archaeological topics in
Michigan (and perhaps the immediately adjacent states and provinces). For example,
they could include short artifact studies, site reports, book reviews,
abstracted M.A. or Ph.D. theses, synthetic studies, or even articles about related
topics (e.g., ethnoarchaeology, geoarchaeology). Remember, much of the work
done 10, 20, or even 30 years ago would still prove informative, if it ever
finally reached the light of day.
Please think about your own research, and that of your students and
colleagues … Use your imagination!! Just about every one of us is sitting on at least
one or two (or more) papers that deserve to be seen by the general public and
made available to our peers. And they aren't due next week!! This project
is meant to be a medium-term strategy to ensure the long-term vitality of THE
MICHIGAN ARCHAEOLOGIST.
If you think that you have a manuscript that would be of interest to
professional and avocational readers in Michigan and/or the Upper Great Lakes, please
get in touch with me at your earliest opportunity.
Mark C. Branstner, RPA
Secretary, Conference on Michigan Archaeology
Chairman / Editorial Committee, Michigan Archaeological Society
Great Lakes Research, Inc.
210 E. Sherwood Road
Williamston, MI 48895
1.517.347.4793 / [log in to unmask]
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