We are proud to announce that the Journal of Archaeological Science and Society for Archaeological Sciences Emerging Investigator Award for 2019 has been awarded to Hector Orengo and Arnau Garcia-Molsosa, for their paper 'A brave new world for archaeological survey: Automated machine learning-based potsherd detection using high resolution drone imagery' (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2019.105013). The panel commended the visionary combination of drone-based photogrammetry, machine learning and parallel computing in an open source environment, with the potential to revolutionise traditional field survey methods.

The authors will receive a $500 cash prize, and the manuscript will be freely available for 12 months. In addition, the manuscript will be highlighted in JAS and SAS communications and websites.

JAS and SAS have partnered in this new initiative to highlight and celebrate the key role of early career researchers in advancing archaeological science. We acknowledge all of the excellent submissions for this award, which demonstrate the exciting new scientific directions that early career researchers are working in.

This is the inaugural year for the award and we encourage submissions for the next round. All nominated papers with a publication date in 2020 will be considered, and the award announcement will take place early in 2021. The purpose of this award is to promote and acknowledge research excellence among early career scientists and provide an international venue for publication of significant work. The research must have a notable impact in the field of archaeological science.