Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. Papers must be 1.2-spaced, justified left, with 1-in. margins. Submissions should not exceed 15,000 words, including references cited and image captions.
2. All manuscripts must be prepared with the following internal organization and specifications:
1. First Page: place title and author’s name(s) at the top of the page.
2. Abstract: an informative abstract of 150 words or less is to comprise the first paragraph.
3. Appendices: appendices are encouraged! Please submit any appendices with your manuscript. This can include an Excel database, Word document, additional figures, or R-code. Please contact the editor if you have questions about your appendices.
4. Acknowledgements: these are to be placed at the end of the article, before Endnotes and the References Cited section.
5. Endnotes: these should be used sparingly and are to be situated before the References Cited.
6. References Cited: these and reference citations should generally follow the style of Historical Archaeology in the SHA Style Guide (Section VII).
7. Author’s Affiliation: place author’s name(s), affiliation, address, and email immediately following the References Cited.
8. Tables: each table must have a short title at the top. Do not embed tables or illustrations in the body of the report.
9. Figure Captions: list the captions for both black & white and color illustrations sequentially on a separate page using Arabic numerals.
3. Number all pages consecutively from the title page through the References Cited and figure captions.
4. All headings should be situated three (3) spaces below the preceding text and flush with the left margin.
1. PRIMARY HEADINGS are to be capitalized and bold.
2. Secondary Headings are to be typed using bold upper and lower case letters.
3. Tertiary Headings are to be the same as the secondary headings with the addition of italics.
4. Quaternary Headings are to be in regular upper and lower case letters with the addition of italics.
5. Illustrations:
1. All illustrations should be of publishable quality, with sharp focus and contrast, and submitted as high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) digital images (.jpg or .tif files).
2. Please include a map with relevant sites or regions clearly marked.
3. Images of objects and maps, site plans, etc., should include a metric or metric/standard scale. Maps should include a North arrow.
4. When several items are shown in a single frame, each object is to be designated by a lower case letter, and the caption should include references to these letters.
5. Illustrations obtained from museums or other institutions, or from copyrighted publications or internet sites, must be accompanied by a letter from the appropriate institution or author granting permission to publish and indicating that reproduction fees, if any, have been paid by the author.
6. Each manuscript will be reviewed by the editor and at least one anonymous peer-reviewer who has expertise in the thematic content, cultural or geographical region, or time period dealt with in the manuscript.
7. If review remarks are such that substantial changes are required before a manuscript is acceptable for publication, the revised paper will be re-reviewed by the original reviewer, or an alternate peer-reviewer if the original reviewer is not available, prior to its final acceptance.
8. Manuscripts will be judged on the accuracy of their content, appropriateness for an international audience, usefulness to other researchers, and consistency with the research and ethical goals of the Society.
9. Each author and co-author will receive a digital copy of the article. 

Other Policies

The Society of Bead Researchers strongly discourages the purchase or collection of looted materials from archaeological contexts, as this encourages the destruction of archaeological sites. For authors publishing on materials from legacy collections or whose context is unknown these ethical issues should be acknowledged in their manuscript. The editor of BEADS may reject manuscripts whose research deals with materials whose provenance is unclear and may have been obtained illegally. Authors are encouraged to follow guidelines on Collaboration with Responsible and Responsive Stewards of the Past from the Society for American Archaeology. Please contact the editor with any questions about this policy. 

Publishing research on Indigenous materials from the United States

The 2024 Revisions to the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) specifically asks that museums and Federal Agencies “obtain prior and informed consent from lineal descendants and Indian tribes prior to allowing any exhibition of, access to, or research on Native American human remains or cultural items.”  For this reason, authors wishing to publish on materials that fall within this category are asked to provide written confirmation of their compliance with NAGPRA regulations or how the collection under study does not fall under NAGPRA regulations. Data from previously published beads from mortuary contexts should be used judiciously and, when possible, in consultation with descendant communities. Authors are encouraged to contact the editor before submission to discuss this policy and their work more specifically. 

In general, BEADS authors are expected to follow best practices for research with culturally sensitive materials and are encouraged to refer to the World Archaeological Congress’ First Code of Ethics. Please contact the editor for any questions or concerns regarding your submission.