Gendered Citation Practices in American Antiquity and Other Archaeology Journals

Citation is one of many practices affected by the sociopolitics of archaeology. Examination of citation practices in American Antiquity, the Journal of Field Archaeology, Ancient Mesoamerica, and Southeastern Archaeology yields mixed results with regard to equity issues for women. In American Antiquity, the Journal of Field Archaeology, and Ancient Mesoamerica, men cite women at rates that are statistically similar to the rates at which women cite women. Historical data show that this has not always been the case for American Antiquity. In Southeastern Archaeology, men cite women significantly less than women cite women. Despite statistical parity between the sexes in three of the four journals, both men and women in American Antiquity and Ancient Mesoamerica cite women less than expected given the rate at which women publish. Such under-referencing of women might imply a devaluation of women's archaeological labor. This paper also examines other factors besides the gender of the citing author that might affect the rate of citation to women.