Since 1993 (Issue 8) when I took over the editorship of African-AmericanArchaeology from Theresa Singleton, I have enjoyed dealing with the readership,sharing ideas and information, and just being part of what I consider tobe a very important area of study. My purpose as editor has been to producea newsletter that is current, that is useful to scholars and non-scholarsalike, and that comes out on a regular basis. This past year and a half,I have found it impassible to do the legwork necessary to maintain my selfimposed schedule of three issues a year. For this reason and because I thinkit is time for someone with new ideas and energy to give it a try, thiswill be my last issue as editor of the hardcopy version of the Newsletter.I will continue to publish the web version at http://www.mindspring.com/~wheaton/NSA.html.
John McCarthy at the Institute of Minnesota Archaeology has offered totake over as editor, and as you will remember, he recently presented a comprehensiveoverview of the development of African-American history and archaeologystudies. He has worked on African-American sites in the Northeast and Midwest,and I look forward to watching the Newsletter develop under his guidance.Depending upon how John approaches the job, there may be changes in scheduling,format and costs. In keeping with how the newsletter has been operated inthe past, these issues are completely John's responsibility.
Everyone is reminded to attend our annual workshop in Corpus Christion Saturday, January 11, from 4-7 P.M. I was remiss in getting our reservationsinto the program chair so that we do not appear on the preliminary program.We will be included on the final program. Ywone Edwards of Colonial Williamsburghas organized this workshop. The theme will the implications of ritual andspirituality on our interpretations and understanding of what we find archaeologically.You are encouraged to bring artifacts or other evidence to a round tablediscussion that will follow a few, brief focussing statements by key speakers.As always, the entire membership of SHA is invited to attend and participatein what is an informal discussion of where we are in the sub field of African-AmericanArchaeology and where we should be headed. Everyone from graduate studentsto the grey beards are encouraged to speak up.
I hope to see all of you in Corpus Christi.
Tom Wheaton
Public Archaeology Review is a refereed journal published by the Centerfor Archaeology in the Public Interest at Indiana University-Purdue University,Indianapolis. We are soliciting manuscripts for articles, reports, and commentariesrelating to archaeology done with a view toward public issues. Topics includeethics, outreach, looting, public education, heritage management and law,repatriation, eco-tourism, and the history of public oriented archaeology.The scope is international. Please send three copies of articles, alongwith illustrations to April Sievert, Editor, Public Archaeology Review,Dept. of Anthropology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140, phone (317) 274-1406,e-mail asiever@indyunix.iupui.edu. Guidelines for contributors are availableon request.
Marcos Andre Torres de Souza, a historical archaeologist at the InstitutoGoiano de Pre-Historia e Antropologia Universidad Catolica de Goias, isinterested in receiving copies of papers and notification of publicationsin African earthenware as his resources in Brazil are limited. Presumablyhe is interested in such sources from Africa and from African occupied sitesin the New World. You may contact Mr. Torres de Souza at his e-mail address,marcos@saci.ucg.br.
Taylor Michaels is interested in receiving information concerning sewingtools found in plantation and urban slave sites, for thesis and ongoingresearch on slave quilting. He is currently interested in states other thanSouth Carolina as he has surveyed site reports there through the 1994 season.However, he is still interested in new finds there. You may contact Mr.Michaels at 715 Regency Square, Apt. 308, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008.
Sue Henry Reynaud brings to your attention a conference held at the endof November in New Orleans. Tulane and Cambridge have joined in a long-termcollaborative project to advance the study of historical themes spanningthe Atlantic. Over a six year period, a group of senior scholars will meetalternately in New Orleans and Cambridge to discuss research on severalhistorical subjects. The purpose of the inaugural meeting in New Orleanswas to examine the differential effects of two broad structural changes- the establishment of slavery and emancipation - on race, class, and genderin societies of the Atlantic world. A number scholars primarily historians(Theresa Singleton was a notable exception), from England, the US and theCaribbean presented papers on a variety of topics. For further informationcontact Emily Clark at emjclark@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu. Anyone who attendedthe conference is encouraged to submit a synopsis to this newsletter forits next issue.
"On July 13, 1996, a new association interested in the study ofthe past was formed. The Zimbabwe Historical Studies Association, seeksamong other things 'to promote and encourage historical studies mainly inthe past of Zimbabwe from various disciplines including, but not limitedto history, archaeology, economic history, political science, religioushistory, law, etc.' and 'to promote collaborative research and facilitiesfor scholarly exchange of ideas and publications between individuals andinstitutions engaged in the study and research in the human past in Zimbabwe."'
Thus begins Volume 1, Issue 1 of Historical Studies News, a new newsletterby the Historical Studies Association of Zimbabwe. This first issue discussesthe purposes behind the organization, how it was formed and by whom, itsconstitution and a call for papers for its new refereed publication, Journalof Zimbabwean Historical Studies. Membership in the association for NorthAmerican residents is US $20 per year. Please send inquiries to The Secretary,Attention Dr. I. Pikirayi, History Department, University of Zimbabwe, BoxMP167, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.