Editorial Raíces, S. A. de C.V., is a 100% Mexican venture, founded in October 1992 to support the circulation of cultural media in Mexico. In 1993, the journal Arqueología Mexicana was launched as a bimonthly publication, produced in conjunction with the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The journal was intended as both a response to archaeologists’ wanting to have their research reach a broader public, and to a non-specialist audience’s interest in Mexico’s archaeological heritage.

For over 16 years, through the invaluable collaboration of a scientific editorial comittee made up of acclaimed members of prestigious institutions such as INAH, UNAM, and the Colegio de Mexico, Editorial Raíces has been able to both representatively and successfully publish the results of present and past archaeological investigations, as well as many aspects of Mexican history and its current cultural manifestations. The scholars in our scientific editorial comittee follow the processes involved in each edition’s crafting, from the selection of topics and authors, to the publication’s end result.

These scholars have commented on Arqueología Mexicana:

“Arqueología Mexicana is a publication with recognized prestige as can be attested by the many letters from its readers, as well as by the positive reception of the journal’s issues that are often collected as a scholarly resource, even by professional historians and researchers in the many fields of anthropology. The published issues of Arqueología Mexicana are the bearers of various types of testimonies regarding the rich manifestations of our indigenous ancestors. Many of the most distinguished Mexican and international researchers who work on the different periods of the cultural development of Mexico’s native peoples have collaborated in the journal. Thus, I believe that we should support this magazine that, by making our past well known in such a gracious manner, honors Mexico in so many ways.”

Dr. Miguel León Portilla; PhD in Philosophy, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); member of the Mexican Academy of History and the Mexican Academy of Language, as well as member of the Colegio Nacional and the National Academy of Sciences (USA); and member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana from May 1999 to December 2006.

“The journal Arqueología Mexicana is unique in its genre. I am not exaggerating when I state that, among the journals devoted to archaeology internationally, it is the publication about our past with the best presentation and greatest circulation. The most important specialists in the field collaborate in its many issues, and it is recognized in the most relevant media worldwide. The most important contribution of the publication is that it discusses our own history and makes it accessible not only to academic circles, but also to a broader audience that can use it to get to know the Prehispanic world. This far-reaching circulation is essential so that our archaeological heritage is  known, respected and admired. All support that the Journal obtains will greatly benefit both culture and Mexico”.

Dr. Eduardo Matos Moctezuma; National Award for Science and Arts 2007 (Mexico); Emeritus Researcher, National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH); Masters in Anthropology form the National Autonomous University (UNAM), and member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since January 2006.

“Arqueología Mexicana is a non-specialist science journal that both opens a forum for specialists to express and debate original and new findings, and allows scholars to publish their research in a language that is accessible to a broader audience. This difficult double task has been the aim of the magazine since its beginnings and has been kept up without interruption during the many years it has existed. It is, thus, not surprising that many of its articles, in addition to being read and accepted as plausible by a very wide gamut of readers, are cited in scientific publications.”

Dr. Alfredo López Austin; PhD in history, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); researcher in the National System of Researchers; member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana from November 1996 until January 1999.

“The journal Arqueología Mexicana is at the forefront of science and education because it engages readers of all ages and gives them a great variety of information and quality news regarding archaeological and historical studies taking place in Mexico. It is of incalculable value because it allows both a general audience, as well as academics in the relevant fields, to keep updated through its very accessible format. The publication is used as a reference by students, researchers, Mexican and international tourists, as well as by the numerous Mexican populations living abroad. Arqueología Mexicana encompasses Mexico’s essence from its most remote roots to the present. Thus, its loyal readers always look for it, read it in detail, and collect past issues for future reference. In addition, the journal is used as a didactic medium in schools and universities all over Mexico, strengthening national identity. Its role in international spaces is also noteworthy given that it is the only publication in its genre that actively brings a diverse international audience closer to our country”.

Dr. Ann Cyphers; researcher in the National Institute of Anthropological Research (UNAM); member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since July 1999.

“In addition to being a booster of national pride, Arqueología Mexicana , is a great medium for the circulation of knowledge about precolombian cultures, the topic that most attracts tourism to Mexico. We cannot remain seated on the stones waiting for visitors to come and appreciate our Prehispanic heritage without working to make it well-known.”

Dr. María Teresa Uriarte; PhD in history, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); researcher in the National Research System; member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since October 2007.

“Without a doubt, Arqueología Mexicana is the best example of the last few decades that illustrates the successful cultural collaboration between the federal government and the private sector. The exceptional quality of the journal locates it among the best in the world in its field.”

Dr. Leonardo López Luján; PhD in ethnology and comparative sociology, X-Nanterré de Paris University; Member of the Ateneo Nacional de Artes, Letras, Ciencia y Tecnología and of the Society for American Archaeology; member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since October 2007.

“A great amount of archaeological work takes place in Mexico every year. However, given the cost of editing, the extensive nature of technical reports based on results produced during various periods of fieldwork that are integrated into long-term research projects, very little of the findings of Mexican archeology is ever communicated to society at-large. Arqueología Mexicana has completely revolutionized the image and use of archaeology in the country. Thanks to the journal many of our projects are now known, as well as new findings and archaeological sites. The publication has brought people closer to the discipline and has allowed archaeological sites and the possibilities of their study to become better known. Given its format and its style as a general public magazine, Arqueología Mexicana is a widely used journal in schools and public libraries nationwide. Its contributions to teaching are enormous. Each issue is useful to many students. Arqueología Mexicana is one of the most serious and better edited scientific and cultural journals in Mexico’s editiorial history. Its contribution to national culture is very important. Arqueología Mexicana has become an excellent auxiliary tool to disseminate, and consequentially, to protect, Mexico’s monumental heritage.”

Dr. Pablo Escalante Gonzalbo; PhD in history, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM); member of the National System of Researchers; Antonio García Cubas Award 2005; member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since October 2007.

“Arqueología Mexicana has generated a medium for knowledge in its field to not only circulate, but also a platform for the production of new knowledge, and even for the very idea that in order to understand the past, new knowledge must be assimilated. This is not the case of many other media that limit themselves to repeating what is already known (this is precisely underdevelopment). Another great asset of Arqueología Mexicana has been the constancy in its quality and recognition since its very beginnings. It has not been the product of mere ostentation unlike many of the projects that are unfortunately taking over the “cultural” panorama these days. This has not affected only the mass media, but even media that are assumed to be rigorously academic. As we await better times, I think we must get used to the idea that Arqueología Mexicana is not precisely what excites spectacle lovers.”

Dr. Bernardo García Martínez; PhD in history, Harvard University; professor-researcher of the Center of Historical Studies at the Colegio de Mexico; member of the National System of Researchers; member of the Scientific Editorial Committee of Arqueología Mexicana since November 2006.