Faunal Database Schema
June 28, 2006
Table of Contents:
Diagram of Database Tables and Relationships
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Tables and Fields
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Site:
Unit:
Strip:
Locus:
Bag:
Element:
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4
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5
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Table Relationships
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Fields with Controlled Vocabularies
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Collection Strategy:
Context:
Period:
Species:
Reliability:
Element:
Symmetry:
Fusion:
Fragment:
Fragmentation Origin:
Fragmentation Degree:
Fragmentation Anterior/Posterior:
Fragmentation Medial/Lateral:
Burning:
Disease:
Modification:
Butchering:
Sex:
Domestication:
Tooth Type:
Tooth Position:
Tooth Class:
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1
Diagram of Tables and Relationships
A: Site
(1)
1:M
B: Unit
(2)
1:M
C: Strip
(3)
1:M
D: Locus
(4)
1:M
E: Bag
(5)
1:M
F: Element
2
Tables and Table Fields1
A: Site Table
Description:
The Site Table currently has only two fields, allowing for faunal data from different sites
to be entered into the database.
Related To:
 (1) Unit Table: 1:many
Fields:
 Site ID: Data Type = autonumber. Primary key generated for site IDs
 Site Name: Data Type = text. Popular name of the site.
B: Unit Table
Description:
Units are situated hierarchically beneath sites.
Related To:
 (1) Site Table many:1
 (2) Strip Table 1:many
Fields:
 Unit ID: Data Type = autonumber. Primary key generated for Unit IDs
 Area: Data Type = text. Label provided for the area of the site in which the unit is
located.
 Unit Name: Data Type = text. Label provided for the specific unit.
1
Fields with * indicate controlled vocabulary. See list for terms used and their descriptions.
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C: Strip Table
Description:
Strips are situated hierarchically beneath units. This table simply allows for the
organization of lower level data into their proper strips. Most often, a strip designation is not
provided and the strip is labeled ‘0’.
Related to:
 (2) Unit Table many:1
 (3) Locus Table 1:many
Fields:
 Strip ID: Data Type = autonumber. Primary key generated for strip IDs.
 Strip Name: Data Type = text. Label provided to identify the strip
D: Locus Table
Description:
The locus table contains very basic information on loci such as the collection strategy and
the nature of the context.
Related to:
 (3) Unit Table many:1
 (4) Bag Tab le 1:many
Fields:
 Locus ID: Data Type = autonumber. Primary key generated for locus IDs
 Locus Number: Data Type = text. Number used to identify the locus such as 005 etc. In
the case that a locus is a sublocus, the number should be entered as 005.1, 005.2, etc.
 Collection Strategy*: Data Type = text. Strategy employed in the collection of the locus.
 Context*: Data Type = text. Description of the locus, such as “subfloor fill” etc.
 Sub Locus: Data Type = Yes/No. Indicates whether or not the locus is considered a sublocus.
 Year Excavated: Data Type = text. Indicates the year that the locus was excavated.
Format should be 4 digits “1995” etc.
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E: Bag Table
Description:
The bag table contains information regarding a particular bag of materials, which should
all correspond to a unique registration number used during excavation. In this case, registration
numbers are used as the primary key.
Related To:
 (4) Locus Table many:1
 (5) Element Table 1:many
Fields:
 Registration Number: Data Type = text. Primary Key. Unique registration number used
to identify the bag or sample.
 Period*: Indicates roughly the time period that the materials in the bag are expected to
be from.
 Checked: This field indicates whether or not the identifications made for the materials in
a particular bag have been checked over. This field is used only in cases where students
are performing preliminary analysis and database entry.
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F: Element Table
Description:
This table contains all of the identifications and information regarding each individual
identifiable bone. In the case of unidentifiable elements, or elements that are identifiable only as
medium mammal, for instance, these are entered as one element, but counts and weights of the
entire group are provided.
Related to:
 (5) Bag Table many:1
Fields:
 Element ID: Data Type = autonumber. Primary Key. Unique number assigned to each
individual element entered into the database. In the case of unidentifiable elements, or
elements that are identifiable only as medium mammal, for instance, these are entered as
one element, but counts and weights of the entire group are provided.
 Species*: Data Type = text. If identifiable, the species of the element.
 Reliability*: Data Type = text. A subjective estimate of the reliability of the
identification.
 Element*: Data Type = text. Identification of the element (humerus, patella, etc.). All
complete or partial skulls have elements recorded individually. All articulated elements,
including teeth in mandibles and maxillae are individually coded.
 Symmetry*: Data Type = text. Side of the body the element came from.
 Fusion*: Data Type = text. Indicates whether or not the bone is fused.
 Fragment*: Data Type = text. Rough estimate of the size of the fragment of bone
relative to the entire element.
 Fragmentation Origin*: Data Type = text. A characterization of the major source of
fragmentation exhibited by the element.
 Fragmentation Degree*: Data Type = text. If an element is incomplete its degree of
fragmentation is coded here.
 Fragmentation Anterior/Posterior*: Data Type = text. If an element is incomplete its
Anterior/Posterior plane is described by this variable. It is to be used with all elements
except for the skull and mandible.
 Fragmentation Medial/Lateral*: Data Type = text. If an element is incomplete its
fragmentation in terms of Lateral/Medial relation to the body is coded here.
 Burning*: Data Type = text. A subjective classification of burning is used.
 Disease*: Data Type = text. Indicates whether or not the element shows signs of
pathology.
 Modification*: Data Type = text. Records modifications except butchering.
 Butchering*: Data Type = text. Records whether or not butchering marks are present.
 Sex*: Data Type = text. Indicates the sex of the animal.
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Domestication*: Data Type = text. Indicates whether the animal is domesticated.
Should only be used for elements that can provide some evidence of domestication.
Tooth Type*: Data Type = text. Type of tooth being recorded such as molar, canine, etc.
Tooth Position*: Data Type = text. Position of tooth, such as upper or lower.
Tooth Class*: Data Type = text. Whether the tooth is permanent or deciduous.
Tooth Number: Data Type = text. Identifier such as 3, for third molar.
Tooth Wear: Data Type = text. Stage of tooth wear should be recorded if possible.
Tooth Length: Data Type = number. Length of the tooth in millimeters.
Tooth Width: Data Type = number. Width of the tooth in millimeters.
Tooth Rooting: Data Type = text. Describes the stage of rooting of the teeth of Bovidae.
Relative Age: Data Type = text. This variable is to be used with teeth only. It is a
subjective estimate of the age of the individual represented by the tooth.
Count: Data Type = number. Default Value = 1. Number of elements being recorded.
This number should always be 1, except in cases where unidentifiable bones, or bones
identifiable only to a group such as medium mammal are being recorded and weighed
together.
Weight: Data Type = number. Weight in grams of each element (or group of
unidentifiable bones).
Measureable: Data Type = Yes/No. Indicates whether or not the element is complete
enough to measure certain characteristics such as breadth of the epiphysis etc. This is
used mostly in cases where quick recording is being done and specific measurements are
not being taken during the first round of analysis. This field will allow quick
identification of elements that are measureable for further study.
Measurements Taken: Data Type = text. Provides any measurements taken of the bone
such as SD (smallest diameter of symphasis), Bd (Breadth of the distal end) etc.
Measurements possible will differ based upon the element being measured. Tooth
breadth and tooth width, should not be recorded here as their own field is provided.
Associated Element IDs: Data Type = text. Provides the element IDs for any other
articulated bones, especially jaws and associated teeth.
Comments: Data Type = text (memo). Any further comments related to the element
should be recorded here.
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Table Relationships
1: Site and Unit
This is a one to many relationship. One Site may have many Units. One unit may be located in
only one site.
2: Unit and Strip
This is a one to many relationship. One unit may have many strips located within it. One strip
may be located in only one unit.
3: Strip and Locus
This is a one to many relationship. One strip may contain many loci. One locus may be located
within only one strip.
4: Locus and Bag
This is a one to many relationship. The artifacts/materials from one locus may be located within
many bags. One bag may contain materials from only one locus.
5: Bag and Element
This is a one to many relationship. One bag may contain many elements. One element may be
stored in only one bag.
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Fields with Controlled Vocabularies
Collection Strategy:
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Hand
Screen
Fine Screen
Flotation
Unknown
Context:
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Top Soil
Floor (interior or exterior)
Feature
Pit
Dump (trash)
Fill
Interior Room Floor (could be floor material itself)
Exterior Surface
Street Surface
Hearth
Oven
Well
Burial
Fill Above Surface (interior or exterior)
Fill Above Interior Room Surface (suprafloor)
Fill Above Exterior Surface (suprafloor)
Fill Above Street (suprafloor)
Construction Collapse
Wash (eroded material)
Oven Fill
Surface-Possible Room
Suprafloor, Possible Courtyard
Courtyard-Suprafloor or Floor
Possible Courtyard Fill or Suprafill
Courtyard Suprafloor
Fill/Fall (interior or exterior)
Test Trench
Room Floor/Subfloor
Room/Court Suprafloor
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Oven Area Fill (Perhaps Associated with Oven)
Exterior Suprasurface
Probable Exterior Floor
Exterior Fill
Interior Fill
Street, Alley Fill
Interior Floor or Suprafloor
Exterior Floor or Suprafloor
Tumble, Possible Interior
Drain
Fill-Interior or Courtyard
Courtyard Fill
Fill, Possible Interior
Subfloor
Below Wall
Interior/Courtyard Fill/Fall
Baulk
Compact Mud/Soil
Fill/Wash
Room Fill/Collapse
Bench/Platform
Collapse/Interior Subfloor
Surface and Suprafill (interior or exterior)
Pebble Concentration
Stone Pavement
Pebble Surface
Ash Layer or Burnt
Packed Earth Surface
Natural Soil
Wall
Unknown
Period:
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Indeterminate
Neolithic
Halaf
Ubaid
Late Chalcolithic
Early EBA
Mid EBA
Late EBA
MBA
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Species:
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Indeterminate
Large Mammal
Medium Mammal
Small Mammal
Large Artiodactyl
Medium Artiodactyl
Small Artiodactyl
Bovid
Ovis-Capra-Gazella
Ovis-Capra
Ovis
Capra
Gazella sp.
Gazella dorcas
Gazella gazelle
Gazella subgutturosa
Bos
Bubulus
Cervid
Capreolus
Cervus
Dama
Suid
Sus scrofa
Camelid
Camelus
Equid
Equus asinus/hemionus
Equus asinus
Equus equus
Equus hemionus
Large carnivore
Medium carnivore
Small carnivore
Viverrid
Herpestes sp.
Herpestes
Hyaena
Large felid
Medium felid
Small felid
Felis catus
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Felis chaus
Felis leo
Felis margarita
Felis Pardus
felis uncial
Lynx
Medium mustelid
Large Canid
Medium canid
Small canid
Canis sp.
Canis aureus
Canis familiaris
Canis lupus
Vulpes sp.
Vulpes cana
Vulpes ruppelli
Vulpes vulpes
Urus
Rodent
Lagamorph
Lepus
Medium-large mammal
Medium-small mammal
Testudo
Aves
Pisces
Medium bovid
Homo sapiens
Mollusc
Bos/Red Deer
Crustacean
Carnivore
Pottery
Chipped Stone
Reliability:
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Unknown
Reliable
Possibly Reliable
Not Reliable
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Element:
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Indeterminate
Basioccipital
Occipital
Basisphenoid
Mesethmoid
Presphenoid
Alisphenoid
Pterygoid
Vomer
Palatine
Turbinal
Supraoccipital
Interparietal
Parietal
Frontal
Petrous-Temporal
Squasmous/Temporal
Malar
Lacrimal
Nasal
Premax. With Teeth
Premax. Without Teeth
Maxilla With Teeth
Maxilla Without Teeth
Mandible With Teeth
Mandible Without Teeth
Associated Tooth
Unassociated Tooth
Horn Core
Antler
Stylohyoid
Epihyoid
Ceratohyoid
Basiohyoid
Thyrohyoid
Atlas
Axis
Cervical Vertebra
Thoracic Vertebra
Lumbar Vertebra
Sacrum
Caudal Vertebra
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Rib
Costal Rib
Presternum
Mesosternum
Xiphisternum
Scapula
Clavicle
Humerus
Radius
Ulna
Radial Carpal
Intermed Carpal
Ulnar Carpal
Central Carpal
Pisiform
1st Carpal
2nd Carpal
3rd Carpal
4th Carpal
Rad-Intermed Carpal
2nd and 3rd Carpal
Metacarpal I
Metacarpal II
Metacarpal III
Metacarpal IV
Metacarpal V
Metacarpal III-IV
Metacarpal INDT
Proximal Sesamoid
Distal Sesamoid
Seasmoid
1st Phalanx
2nd Phalanx
3rd Phalanx
Phalanx
Metapodial III-IV
Metapodial INDT
Proximal Sesamoid
Distal Sesamoid
Sesamoid
1 or 2 Phalanx
2nd and 3rd Tarsal
Tooth
Rib-vertebrae
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Vertebrae
Skull
Mandible/maxilla
Carpal
Tarsal
Carapace
Orbital
Zygomatic
Hyoid
Pectoral limb
Carpal or Tarsal
Occipital Condyle
Acetabulon
Fish Spine
Symmetry:
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Indeterminate
Right
Left
Medial
Fusion:
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Indeterminate
Fused
Unfused
Proximal Fused Distal Fused
Proximal Fused Distal Fusing
Proimal Fused Distal Unfused
Proximal Fusing Distal Fused
Proximal Fusing Distal Fusing
Proximal Fusing Distal Unfused
Proximal Unfused Distal Fused
Proximal Unfused Distal Fusing
Proximal Unfused Distal Unfused
Foetal
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Fragment:
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Indeterminate
Complete
3/4 to Complete
1/2 to 3/4 of
1/4 to 1/2 of
Less than 1/4 of:
Fragmentation Origin:
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Indeterminate
Pre-Depositional
Possibly Pre-Depositional
Post-Depositional (Ancient)
Possibly Post-Depositional
Recent (Excavation or Shipment)
Possibly Recent
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Fragmentation Degree:
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Indeterminate
Complete
Proximal End
Proximal Shaft
Proximal End and Shaft
Shaft
Distal End and Shaft
Distal Shaft
Distal End
Articulation (mandibles)
Ramus (mandibles)
Articulation and Ramus (mandibles)
Cheek and Articulation (mandible)
Diastema and Cheek (mandible)
Symphasis to Cheek (mandible)
Diastema to Articulation (mandible)
Symphasis and Diastema (mandible)
Symphasis (mandible)
Diastema (mandible)
Cheek (mandible)
Proximal (maxilla and skull)
Central (maxilla and skull)
Distal (maxilla and skull)
Fragmentation Anterior/Posterior:
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Indeterminate
Complete
Anterior
Posterior
Central
Mesial
Distal
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Fragmentation Medial/Lateral:
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Indeterminate
Complete
Lateral
Medial
Central
Labial (for teeth)
Lingual (for teeth)
Right Half (for vertebra)
Left Half (for vertebra)
Dorsal (for mandibles)
Ventral (for mandibles)
Crown (for teeth)
Root (for teeth)
Arch (for vertebra)
Centrum (for vertebra)
Burning:
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Indeterminate
White
Carbonized
Burnt
Partially Affected
Slightly Affected
Possibly Affected
Disease:
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Indeterminate
Diseased
Possibly Diseased
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Modification:
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Indeterminate
Tool
Worked
Bitumen
Rodent Gnawed
Carnivore Gnawed
Gnawed
Possibly Worked
Combination
Butchering:
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Indeterminate
Butcher marks present
Butcher marks possibly present
Sex:
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Male
Female
Castrated
Possibly male
Possibly female
Possibly castrated
Domestication:
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Indeterminate
Domestic
Possibly domestic
Wild
Possibly wild
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Tooth Type:
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Indeterminate
Deciduous
Permanent
Tooth Position:
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Indeterminate
Upper
Lower
Tooth Class:
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Indeterminate
Incisor
Canine
Pre-molar
Molar
Cheek tooth
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