Erich Christopher Fisher

The Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA) is a global organization of researchers who share an interest in African archaeology and African societies. Since 1992, SAfA biannual conferences have become important hubs for cross-disciplinary and multi-national networking and educational opportunities in archaeology and heritage management, promoting pan-African socio-economic growth, research, and heritage preservation. SAfA 2025 will be hosted by ICArEHB at the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal. The conference theme, “Crossroads through Time,” underscores the historical and cultural connections between African communities and southern Iberia, particularly evident in the Algarve. Situated in southern Portugal, the Algarve has been a historical crossroads for millennia where diverse European, Mediterranean, and African cultures intersected and influenced each other, shaping the region’s identity and heritage. The region provides a rich backdrop for discussions about cultural interconnectedness. It also resonates with broader discussions about the global significance of African history and heritage and the need to recognize and amplify African perspectives in scholarly discourse. SAfA 2025 will promote meaningful exchanges and collaborations that will contribute to a more inclusive understanding of the past while exploring scholarship that honors the diversity and interconnectedness of human experiences across time and space.