DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49270#0397
284
Editorial Notes
invaluable results. As these results cannot but be of practical importance, the editors
are particularly anxious to have an opportunity of presenting them.
Published by the African Department of the Peabody Museum, the Harvard African
Studies will, it is hoped, contribute in some measure to the progress of African Studies in
America. The editors wish it to be understood, however, that in the service of science
they acknowledge no national distinctions, and they extend a most cordial invitation to
European, as well as to American investigators, to contribute to the series. On the
response to this invitation the permanent usefulness of the series depends.
All contributions for the series should be addressed to “The Editor, H. A. S., Peabody
Museum, Cambridge, Mass.” When received, papers will be submitted to the Publi-
cation Committee, which passes upon the suitability, from the point of view of the series,
of all manuscripts.
The price of each volume of the Varia is to be set at a figure about 15% over the cost
of production. Any profit which may accrue is to be added to a small fund designed to
defray the cost of publishing such monographs — e. g. grammars — as are very expensive
to print, and for which there is only a limited demand. The price of each volume will
of necessity vary in accordance with the cost of production. The edition of the Varia
is set at 750 copies: those of the monographs will depend on the nature of the subjects
whereof they treat. Applications for copies, accompanied by P. M. 0. or certified checks,
may be sent to the Assistant Editor at the above address.
In closing this note the editors beg to add that it is in the spirit of those to whom
the Harvard African Studies as a series is dedicated that they aim to do their work.
2. An Ethnographic Atlas of Africa. Travelers, missionaries, administrators, and
scientists have published a vast amount of valuable information regarding the various
peoples and regions in Africa. As yet, however, there has been comparatively little cor-
relation of this evidence. Now that the day of the reconnaissance explorer is essentially
past, and we begin to receive accurate and detailed studies of single tribes, it is highly
desirable to have the great mass of published material carefully sifted, so that the future
student and investigator may be able to make his efforts as productive as possible.
It is especially important to have various cultural elements individually studied with
reference to their distribution throughout the continent, and with regard to their varia-
tions from area to area. Maps compiled with a view to forming an ethnographic atlas
of Africa can now profitably be begun. We need maps showing the distribution of
objects of material culture such as house types, boat types, and types of weapons; of
technical processes such as fishing or metal working; of social or religious customs, and
of folklore. These, combined with maps showing the distribution of physical types or
of linguistic stocks, would prove invaluable to future Africanists.
Editorial Notes
invaluable results. As these results cannot but be of practical importance, the editors
are particularly anxious to have an opportunity of presenting them.
Published by the African Department of the Peabody Museum, the Harvard African
Studies will, it is hoped, contribute in some measure to the progress of African Studies in
America. The editors wish it to be understood, however, that in the service of science
they acknowledge no national distinctions, and they extend a most cordial invitation to
European, as well as to American investigators, to contribute to the series. On the
response to this invitation the permanent usefulness of the series depends.
All contributions for the series should be addressed to “The Editor, H. A. S., Peabody
Museum, Cambridge, Mass.” When received, papers will be submitted to the Publi-
cation Committee, which passes upon the suitability, from the point of view of the series,
of all manuscripts.
The price of each volume of the Varia is to be set at a figure about 15% over the cost
of production. Any profit which may accrue is to be added to a small fund designed to
defray the cost of publishing such monographs — e. g. grammars — as are very expensive
to print, and for which there is only a limited demand. The price of each volume will
of necessity vary in accordance with the cost of production. The edition of the Varia
is set at 750 copies: those of the monographs will depend on the nature of the subjects
whereof they treat. Applications for copies, accompanied by P. M. 0. or certified checks,
may be sent to the Assistant Editor at the above address.
In closing this note the editors beg to add that it is in the spirit of those to whom
the Harvard African Studies as a series is dedicated that they aim to do their work.
2. An Ethnographic Atlas of Africa. Travelers, missionaries, administrators, and
scientists have published a vast amount of valuable information regarding the various
peoples and regions in Africa. As yet, however, there has been comparatively little cor-
relation of this evidence. Now that the day of the reconnaissance explorer is essentially
past, and we begin to receive accurate and detailed studies of single tribes, it is highly
desirable to have the great mass of published material carefully sifted, so that the future
student and investigator may be able to make his efforts as productive as possible.
It is especially important to have various cultural elements individually studied with
reference to their distribution throughout the continent, and with regard to their varia-
tions from area to area. Maps compiled with a view to forming an ethnographic atlas
of Africa can now profitably be begun. We need maps showing the distribution of
objects of material culture such as house types, boat types, and types of weapons; of
technical processes such as fishing or metal working; of social or religious customs, and
of folklore. These, combined with maps showing the distribution of physical types or
of linguistic stocks, would prove invaluable to future Africanists.