[2] In the late 1950s, anthropologist Bernard J. Siegel received a grant from the National Science Foundation to establish an anthropology journal that published review articles surveying recent developments in the field.

[4] Beginning in 1972, the project was assumed by the nonprofit publisher Annual Reviews,[4] with Siegel remaining as editor.

[5] Starting with the second volume, it included prefatory chapters where prominent anthropologists reflected on their careers.

All other members of the editorial committee are appointed by the Annual Reviews board of directors and serve five-year terms.

The editorial committee determines which topics should be included in each volume and solicits reviews from qualified authors.

[10] Dates indicate publication years in which someone was credited as a lead editor or co-editor of a journal volume.