University of Alberta
Bryan / Gruhn Archaeology Collection
Data Dictionary
&
Documentation Standards Manual
Last Updated: August 2012
Shirley Harpham
Archaeology Collections Management
Previous contributors:
Updated: March 2012
Elizabeth Sawchuk
ARCH data cleanse
Updated: March 22, 2009
Angela Younie
MACS Digitization Project
Contributing Document: April 2008
Nicola Howard
CHIN Database Standards Validation
Created: December 1996
Richard Lello
Archaeology MAP and AMA Grant Projects
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Object Authority………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Object naming……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Accession Number……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Object Status………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
Category…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Sub-category…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11
Object Title………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Object Relationships…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Item Count……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
Whole/Part………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………18
Portion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19
Physical Characteristics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20
Materials………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….21
Technique…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23
Cortex………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24
Measurements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25
Inscription………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..28
Description………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………29
Stylistic, Cultural & Chronological Information…………………………………………………………………………………..31
Culture…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….32
Geographical Cultural Area………………………………………………………………………………………………………34
Period Designation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..35
Artifact Age………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………36
Location & Geography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….38
Place Collected…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………39
Site…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..41
Provenience……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..43
Collector…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..44
Date Collected………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….46
Creation Information………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….48
Maker………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………49
Notes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………51
Source………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………52
Note………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...53
Lot Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………54
Linked Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………55
Legal Status………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………56
Home Location…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………57
Location……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………58
Condition………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….58
3
Valuation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….59
Linked Authorities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….60
Linked Authorities……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..61
Copyright & User Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..65
Loan Allowed?...................................................................................................................................66
Publish?.............................................................................................................................................66
Created By…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………67
Create Date………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..67
Updated By………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..67
Update Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 67
CHIN Required Fields………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………68
Institution……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………69
Institution City…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….69
Institution Province……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..70
Discipline…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 70
CCO Recommended & Required Fields for Authorities……………………………………………………………………………71
Media Authority…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………72
People Authority…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………74
Place Authority……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………77
Thesaurus……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………80
Subject Authority…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………81
Appendix A Reference Lists………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………84
Formatting and Data Standards……………………………………………………………………………………………………85
Overall Vocabulary Resources………………………………………………………………………………………………………86
Classification & Sub-Category……………………………………………………………………………………………………….86
Alternative Names & Artifact Typology…………………………………………………………………………………….....87
Material & Technique………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…88
Style & Culture……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..88
Geographic Data…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..89
Description and Miscellaneous……………………………………………………………………………………………………..89
Appendix B: Naming Rules for Specific Material Types……………………………………………………………………………..90
Appendix C: Preferred Sub-Category List…………………………………………………………………………………………………..94
Appendix D: Culture Term Lists……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….108
4
OBJECT AUTHORITY
5
OBJECT NAMING
6
ACCESSION NUMBER
Definition: This field contains the current unique accession number assigned to the object, or to a group
(LOT) of objects, by the Department of Anthropology.
Hint Text: Unique Accession Number assigned to the object.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: Enter the Accession Number for the object. The Archaeology collection uses the following
format: the four digits of the year (or last three digits if prior to 2000), a period (.), the accession lot
number, another period, and the object number.
 accession lot number refers to the accession (sample, lot, or group) received by or
collected for the institution in that year
 object number refers to the single item or specimen with the accession
In the Archaeology collection, related artifacts are identified as follows:
 If they are pieces of one object or parts of a set, they would be accessioned as part a, b, c,
etc., and then linked as a lot with a single parent record. For example, 978.14.10LOT
might be composed of 978.14.10a and 978.14.10b. For example, three bifaces in a set
would be given the same accession number followed by a, b, and c.
 If there is more than one identical cast this will be given the same ID, with the number of
items reflected in the Item Count and noted in the description.
 If the item breaks after accessioning, physically label the pieces 978.14.10(a) and
978.14.10(b), but do not change the accession number on the record. Documentation of
the break and relabeling should be noted in Description, and the Conservation and
Condition Activities.
 In rare cases, casts are produced by making copies of replicas that are already part of our
collection. Convention has it that these would be given a “c” to designate copy. If the
original replicas already have a letter part designation, “c” would be added to this.
o Eg. 994.9.5ac
Formatting Rules: Do not enter a number that refers to more than one object. For example, “972.10.1ad” and “985.21.1-14” are incorrect. Do not use colons, commas, or semicolons.
All items must have their own unique identifier, and the numbering system must be consistent
throughout the catalogue. All existing and previous accession and catalogue numbers must be
recorded.
Examples:
996.1.200
972.10.2a
2005.7.1
996.1.78LOT
7
Flexi-Fields: Previously used accession numbers (such as Geology Catalogue numbers) and other
numbers (such as Field or Manufacturer catalogue numbers) associated with the object should be
entered in the flexi-fields. To access the flexi-fields, click on the lever next to the field title.

Other Number: This field is used to enter any other numbers assigned to the object, such as
previous owner number or field catalogue number. Use F6 to create a new child record, then
enter the other number into this field.

Type: Use the pop-up list to select the type of other number.

Source: Use the pop-up list to select the person or organization who assigned the alternate
object to the number. If the name is not on the pop-up list, enter it manually.
Sort: Number the terms from most relevant to least relevant. The preferred term should be “1,”
followed by alternative terms “2,” “3,” etc. in order of relevance, with prior terms last.


Note: Enter any further notes about this field, e.g., the language of a foreign term, or the
reason a prior term was discarded.
Rationale: Lot records (LOT) have been created and are used for administrative and tracking purposes.
These LOTS do not necessarily reflect actual groupings of related artifacts, but are used to track the
locations of artifacts that have been stored together. These records are used by the Collections
Management team and should not be uploaded to Artefacts Canada or the website.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: AN
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2012
8
OBJECT STATUS
Definition: This field contains the physical status of the object, indicating whether it is an original
artifact, a replica or cast of an existing artifact, or a new artifact created by a modern artist or scholar.
Hint Text: The physical status of the object.
Data Type: Controlled pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the object status term:
original: archaeological cultural material produced by an historic or prehistoric tool-maker or
artisan.
cast: a copy of a specimen in a synthetic material that is made by taking a mold of an original.
experimental: specimens produced during any experimental procedure. These specimens may
be based on original specimens but they are created for the purpose of experimentation.
replica: a copy of an original specimen made using the same or similar material and the same
forming techniques. A replica is created by an expert for the purpose of creating a copy.
fossil: fossilized, non-cultural organic material.
Formatting Rules: Enter a single word in lowercase format.
Examples:
original
replica
cast
Flexi-Fields: None
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Optional
CHIN Element: OS
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2012
9
CATEGORY
Definition: This field contains a broad categorization of the object. This field is more generalized than
Sub-category. These terms make it easier for unfamiliar users to explore and search the database, and
are intended to be loosely applied.
Hint Text: Broad category that most closely characterizes the object
Data Type: Controlled pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the object category. Refer to reference notes or textbooks if
necessary to identify the object. Also consult the Preferred Sub-Category List (Appendix C) which
specifies the preferred category for the existing sub-categories. If the object fits into two categories,
choose the one that better describes it (e.g., a core tool should be categorized as lithic tools, not lithic
cores). For lots with objects from multiple categories, select “various categories” for the lot parent
record. Ensure the child records of the lot have appropriate categories for their specific objects.
ceramics – anything created from ceramic materials, e.g., pottery, sherds, ceramics
production equipment, etc.
decorative/ceremonial – objects where the function appears to be more symbolic or
abstract than utilitarian, e.g., beads, figurines, bundles, etc.
floral/faunal remains – plant and animal specimens that are not culturally modified, e.g.
bones, teeth, seeds, cobs, etc. If the specimen was then modified into a tool or otherwise
utilized, select organic tools.
historic – objects associated with historic as opposed to prehistoric cultures, e.g. metal
axes, bottles, buttons, etc.
lithic cores – stone objects from which one or more flakes were detached, e.g., core,
blade core, microcore. This category encompasses both original artifacts and
experimentally-produced examples. If the object was then modified into a tool or
otherwise utilized, select lithic tools.
lithic debitage – stone objects that represent flakes or other fragments knocked off a
core, e.g., flake, shatter, spall. This category encompasses both original artifacts and
experimentally-produced examples. If the object was then modified into a tool or
otherwise utilized, select lithic tools.
lithic tools – any stone object modified into or utilized as a tool or implement, e.g. biface,
hammerstone, projectile point. These objects can derive from either lithic cores or
debitage.
materials/samples – raw materials and other samples that were naturally produced and
culturally unmodified, e.g. lithic samples, matrix samples, coprolites.
organic tools – plant and animal remains that were modified into or used as a tool or
implement, e.g., antler tool, atlatl shaft, needle. This category encompasses both original
artifacts and experimentally-produced examples.
various categories – ONLY use for parent lot records if the child lot records fall into
distinct categories, e.g. ceramics, floral/faunal, and lithic tools. If a child record or
10
independent record falls into two categories, select the term the best describes it (e.g.,
for core tool, select lithic tools instead of lithic cores).
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the desired descriptive term is not on the list, do not create a new
one. Select the most accurate term from the list and enter additional information into the Object
Name and Description fields. Report any new terms that could be added to the list to the Collection
Manager.
Formatting Rules: Enter one or two words in lowercase letters. Use the plural form when possible.
Flexi-Fields: None
Rationale: This field is required by CCO and strongly recommended by CHIN, and it provides researchers
with a broad means of focusing their searches.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Class
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
Recommended
CHIN Element: CTGY
Created: March 2012
Updated: August 2012
11
SUB-CATEGORY
Definition: This field contains the sub-category that best describes the artifact. It is the common or
generalized term for the object.
Hint Text: The common or generic term for the object.
Data Type: Controlled pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the most accurate term(s). Refer to reference notes or textbooks
if necessary to identify the object. Alternate sub-categories that also apply, such as colloquial terms,
prior terms, and foreign language terms, should be entered under the flexi-field. However, only use
alternate sub-categories that are also on the pop-up list. Specific, descriptive phrases (e.g., Avonlea
projectile point) should be reserved for the Object Name. A list of preferred and alternative subcategories, sorted by artifact material & type can be found under the Help Menu.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the desired term is not on the list, do not create a new one. Select the
most accurate term from the list, and enter additional information into the Object Name and
Description fields. Report any new terms that could be added to the list to the Collections Manager.
Formatting Rules: Use lowercase format, unless the term is a proper noun or is typically capitalized in
published literature. Use English except in cases where no English-language equivalent exists. Do not
use punctuation unless it is part of standardized terminology. Record terms in natural word order, not
inverted. Do not pluralize.
Examples:
projectile point
sherd
bone
figurine
matrix sample
Flexi-Fields:
 Term: The Sub-category entered in the anchor field will also be auto-filled in the flexi-field under
“Term.” Create new flexi-records to enter any alternative terms for the object, such as colloquial
terms, foreign language terms, and terms previously assigned during cataloguing or analysis.
Many lithic artifacts have alternative terms and some of these can be found on the Sub-Category
List in the Help Menu (Appendix C). Only use alternative terms when they are integral search
terms for the object, and limit them to one or two choices.
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select whether this is the preferred term, alternative term, colloquial
term, or foreign-language term.
 Prior term?: Check the box if the artifact has been re-termed and the previous sub-category no
longer applies, and make a note of why it was changed in the “Note” flexi-field.
 Sort: Number the terms from most relevant to least relevant. The preferred term should be “1,”
followed by alternative terms “2,” “3,” etc. in order of relevance, with prior terms last.
 Attributor: Using the pop-up list, select the name of the person responsible for assigning the term.
In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or other curator. You
12




should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were responsible for
previously attributed data.
Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter the
reference and include a link to the Publications Authority under Linked Publications (see p. 64).
Certainty: If you are unsure whether you have correctly identified an artifact, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.” In general, do not use this field.
Note: Enter any further notes about this field, e.g., the language of a foreign term, or the reason a
prior term was discarded.
Rationale: In 2010, Object Type was removed to reflect CCO standards and the data from OT/OB were
combined and moved to Object Title. CATALOGUE.ITEM_NAME field was then renamed Object Name and
populated by a controlled list of terms developed by MACS contractors and the Archaeology
Technologist/Collections Manager. In 2012, the field was renamed Sub-category and the list of accepted
terms was expanded.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Work Type
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
recommended
CHIN Element: SCAT
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Last Updated: August 2012
13
OBJECT NAME
Definition: This field contains an identifying phrase or name assigned to the object by an archaeologist.
Hint Text: Object name assigned by an archaeologist.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: The Object Name is a succinct term or phrase used to identify the object. If an accepted
typology can be applied to the object, the Object Name should be the proper typological name with a
source provided. If typologies do not apply, assign a logical, descriptive phase. Some descriptors
include the shape or type of projectile point being catalogued, or the class of ceramic. A nontypological object name may also include information on technique, material, typology, and culture.
This field should effectively sum up the artifact, similar to what you would see on a museum display
label. This name should also contain logical keywords for ease of searching but it is not necessary to
duplicate the term in Sub-category unless it is the only appropriate name.
Recommended controlled vocabularies for classification and object names include any accepted
archaeology typology. Common sources are:
Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) created by the J. Paul Getty Trust. Especially the Objects
Facet. More information or entire resource available online
at http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat
British Museum Object Names Thesaurus. More information or entire resource available online
athttp://www.mda.org.uk/bmobj/Objintro.htm
Gamble, C. The Palaeolithic Settlement of Europe. Appendix: The 105 upper palaeolithic type
list(modification of Sonneville-Bordes and Perrot’s list). 1986.
Justice, Noel D. Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of Midcontinental and Eastern United States: A
Modern Survey and Reference. Bloomington, Ind: Indiana University Press. 1995. Department of
Anthropology Library B-9.
Mda. Archaeological Objects Thesaurus. More information or entire resource available online
athttp://www.mda.org.uk/archobj/archcon.htm
Mirau, Neil A., McMurchy, James, Stewart, Carlton R. Record in Stone: Familiar Projectile Points from
Alberta. Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: Archaeological Society of Alberta. 1999. Department of
Anthropology Library B-9.
Rozoy, Dr. J. G., Typologie de l’Epipaléolithique (Mésolithique) franco-belge. Bulletin de la Société
préhistorique française. Tome LXV. 1968. 335-364. Archaeological lab copy and Department of
Anthropology Library B-9.
14
Sonneville-Bordes, D. de, Perrot, J. Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur. Bulletin de la Société
préhistorique française. 51 (7) 1954. 327-335."
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. All objects must have an object name, which is preferably a unique
identifier. At minimum, reiterate the information in Sub-category.
Formatting Rules: Use lowercase with the exception of proper nouns, and avoid abbreviations. Avoid
initial articles such as “a” and “the.” Use English, but if necessary include foreign-language alternative
names. Do not use punctuation or pluralize unless it is part of standardized terminology (e.g. hyphens
or slashes). Record terms in natural word order, not inverted.
Examples:
atypical carinated end scraper
anthropomorphic figurine
single convex side scraper
Avonlea projectile point
modified deer bone
Flexi-fields:
 Alt types: The Object Name entered in the anchor field will also be auto-filled in the flexi-field
under “Object & Alt Types” Create new flexi-records to enter any alternative names for the
object. Alternative names should only be assigned as needed – more general terms that are
listed in the Sub-Category pop-up should be captured as an alternative Sub-category.
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select whether this is a preferred name, alternate name, web copy
label, technical label (for the laboratory), or display case label.
 Prior name?: check the box if the artifact has been renamed and this name is no longer in use,
and make a note of why the name has been changed in the “Note” field.
 Sort: number the names from most relevant to least relevant. The preferred name should be
“1,” followed by alternative names “2,” “3,” etc. in order of relevance, with prior names last.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the name from the pop-up
list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
archaeologist. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
 Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
 Attribution Source: Enter the name of the reference used to identify the object and include a
link to the source under Linked Publications. All typological object names require a source.
 Certainty: if you are unsure whether you have correctly identified an artifact, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.” In general, do not use this field.
 Note: Enter any further notes about the Object Name, e.g., the language of a foreign term, or
the reason a prior name was discarded.
15
Rationale: In 2010, a descriptive object title field was created to reflect CCO standards and to allow for
more specific identification of each object. This Title Field was supposed to be populated combined or
concatenated names form the former OT/OB. This was intended to make this field more readable and
meet CHIN standards, but unfortunately, this merger did not go smoothly. In 2012, the field was
renamed Object Name and work continues into 2013 to try and restore original intended names and
alternate names.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Work Title
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: OB
Created: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
Updated: August 2012
16
OBJECT RELATIONSHIPS
17
ITEM COUNT
Definition: This field is used to enter the number of items described in the object record.
Hint Text: The total number of elements (pieces) described in the record.
Data Type: Free-text numeric
Entry Rules: Enter the number of objects appropriate to the record. This field defaults to ‘1,’ since most
records should contain data for a single item. For parent group or lot records, enter the number of
individual objects in the lot.
Formatting Rules: Use numerals only.
Examples:
1
5
11
Flexi-Fields: None
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Optional
CHIN Element: QTY
Created: April 1996
Updated: August 2012
18
WHOLE/PART
Definition: This field is used to describe the relationship of the object record to other records, and to
link related records.
Hint Text: Identify whether the object is independent or related to other objects in the database.
Data Type: Controlled pop-up list
Entry Rules: This field defaults to “whole”. If the specimen is part of a LOT, open the pop-up list and
select “lot” if it is a parent record of a lot or select “part” if it is a child record of a lot.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. All records will fall into one of the three categories.
Formatting Rules: Enter a single word in lowercase format.
Examples:
whole
part
lot
Flexi-Fields: The Whole/Part flexi-field is used to create multi-level hierarchical relationships between
Object records. Ensure the parent (lot) and child (part) records are linked. To link child records to the
parent lot record, click the lever next to the field title. This will open a new window. The parent record
name will appear on the left column. Search for child records by entering the Object Name or
Accession Number in the “Object Set” search box and press F8. You may also search for a different
desired group or “parent” record using the “Link To” search box. When the desired child records are
listed in the right column, drag and drop them on the “group” record name in the left column. For
detailed instructions on how to create whole/part relationships, see the Mimsy XG manual.
Rationale: This field was formerly used to describe if the object was complete or incomplete as well as
part of a LOT. See Portion Rationale below.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Relationship Type
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: None
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
Last Updated: August 2012
19
PORTION
Definition: This field is used to indicate what portion of the object is being described in the current
record.
Hint Text: Describe as complete or indicate the portion of an incomplete larger object.
Data Type: Pop-up list
Entry Rules: Select the relevant term from the pop-up list. If the object is complete and largely intact,
select “complete.” Objects that are nearly all present but damaged (e.g., a ceramic bowl with chips in
it) are still considered complete. If the object is a part or fragment of a larger object (e.g., a projectile
point tip or a pot rim), select another term from the pop list. All objects that are not termed complete
are automatically considered incomplete, and the provided terms describe how so. For fragments, if it
can be determined which part of the original artifact is being catalogued, select a specific term. If it
cannot, select “fragment.”
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK, except if the record is the parent lot record. If so, ensure the field is
appropriately filled out in the lot child records.
Formatting Rules: Enter a single term in lowercase format.
Examples:
complete
fragment
distal fragment
rim
handle
epiphysis
Flexi-Fields: None
Rationale: This field was formerly left blank when whole/part was listed as complete. It now reflects
whether the object is complete and incomplete, and if the latter, what part of the whole it represents.
This field is not used for parent LOT records which refer to multiple, diverse objects.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Condition
CHIN Requirement: Optional
CHIN Element: OP
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Last Updated: August 2012
20
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
21
MATERIALS
Definition: This field identifies the material or materials of which the object is composed.
Hint Text: The materials that compose the object
Data Type: Pop-up list
Entry Rules: Select the material(s) that the object is composed of the pop-up list. The terms are in a
hierarchical list from most basic material type (e.g. lithic) to specific material name (e.g. Etherington
Chert), with each level separated by a “>”. Select the most specific term possible to describe the
material. If the specific material type cannot be identified, select one of the general terms (lithic,
metal, glass, sediment, etc.)
For organic materials, enter the type of material from the organism (e.g., bone, antler, etc.) rather than
the species of the organism, which may be entered in the linked Taxonomy field. For composite
artifacts made from multiple materials, select all relevant terms. Mimsy will automatically separate
terms with a semicolon.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the material is unknown, select “unknown.”
Formatting Rules: Enter terms in natural word order, with lowercase letters unless the material type
includes a proper noun or brand name. Only use the brand name if there is no well-known generic
name. Use the singular form in English, and avoid abbreviations. Before entering new material types,
please research the accurate hierarchy. Separate each term on the hierarchy with a space, “>”, and
another space.
Examples:
ceramic
lithic > mineral > quartz > amethyst
organic > faunal > shell
organic > floral > bark
metal > copper > native copper
Flexi-Fields: These describe notable characteristics of the material. These fields are not auto-filled;
create new flexi-records to enter colour and other information where applicable.
 Component: Use the pop-up list to select the portion of the artifact being described. This field
defaults to “overall”.
 Descriptor: Use the pop-up list to select whether you are describing the colour, grain size
(lithics), inclusions (lithics), or post-depositional effects. This field defaults to “colour.”
 Term: Use the pop-up list to select a descriptive term or for colours, use a Munsell chart.
Different pop-up lists will display depending on the term entered in the Descriptor field.
 Note: Enter any other notes or comments about the material.
 Sort: Number the descriptors from most relevant (“1) to least relevant (“2,” “3,” etc.) Color
should be “1”.
22
Rationale: The use of carrots (>) was developed to mimic the hierarchical format of the Thesaurus. A full
materials list was developed in 2010. In the future, this can be transferred to the Thesaurus, with this
field linked to the Materials facet.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Materials &
Techniques
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
Recommended
CHIN Element: MA
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Last Updated: August 2012
23
TECHNIQUE
Definition: This field identifies the processes, techniques, or implements used to create the object.
Hint Text: The technique used to make the object.
Data Type: Pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the technique(s) used to create the artifact. Select the most
specific term possible. If multiple techniques were used, enter them in the order of most predominant
to least predominant. Mimsy will automatically separate terms with a semicolon.
For casts and replicas, enter the technique that was used to create the original artifact represented by
the cast or replica. Do not enter casting for casts (unless the original artifact was also cast).
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the manufacturing technique is unknown, select “unknown.”
Formatting Rules: Use natural word order, with lowercase letters unless the technique name includes a
proper noun or brand name. Avoid abbreviations, and only use the brand name if there is no wellknown generic name. Use the singular form in English, with the past participle (generally –ed).
Examples:
chipped-stone
carved
etched
heat-treated
Flexi-Fields: None
Rationale: CCO recommends using the gerund verb form (flaking, carving, printing) while CHIN
recommends using the past participle. Because the change is relatively easy to make (a simple search
and replace of “-ing” for “-ed”), this is not a time-sensitive update. Until CHIN decides to change their
standards to match CCO, we will continue following CHIN standards.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Materials and
Techniques
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
Recommended
CHIN Element: MT
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
24
CORTEX
Definition: This field is used to note the presence of cortex on a lithic specimen.
Hint Text: Whether there is cortex on the lithic artifact.
Data Type: Yes/No check-box
Entry Rules: If cortex is visible anywhere on the artifact surface, click on the box so that a check-mark
appears in it. If no cortex is visible, leave the field unmodified. This field defaults to a blank check-box
with an N beside it to represent “no” cortex. When the box is checked, the N changes to a Y for “yes.”
Formatting Rules: N/A
Examples: N/A
Flexi-Fields: None
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: Materials and
Techniques
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: COR
Created: November 05
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
25
MEASUREMENTS
Definition: This field describes the full set of measurements for the object, including dimensions and
weight.
Hint Text: Do not enter text in this field. Open the flexi-fields to enter measurement data.
Data Type: Display field
Entry Rules: Do not modify this field. Data entered in the flexi-fields is concatenated by Mimsy to create
the display field data here.
Formatting Rules: The display must include the numerical value, unit of measurement, and type of
measurement for each dimension. It should also describe the portion of the object that is being
measured. All dimensional measurements for the object should be given in the same unit. All lettering
should be in lowercase, with the exception of any standard unit abbreviations that use the uppercase.
Enter a space between the numeric value and the unit. Measurements are always given in the order
length by width by thickness, followed by “other” dimensions and weight.
Examples:
overall: 5.1 cm x 2.1 cm x 3.8 g
diameter: 23.8 cm
stem: 1.7 cm x 0.4 cm
Flexi-Fields: Use the flexi-fields to enter each separate measurement into its own field.
 Part Measured: See the instructions below.
 Length, Width, Thickness & Weight: See the instructions below.
 Unit (Length, Width, Thickness & Weight): See the instructions below.
 (Conv) Fields: These fields are used to convert metric values entered in the Length, Width,
Thickness & Weight fields to imperial units automatically. Do not enter text in these fields;
values will be automatically generated.
 Display: This field is used to concatenate the information from the Length, Width, Thickness,
Weight & Unit fields automatically to the complete phrase that will be shown in the anchor field
. Do not enter text into this field.
 Note: Enter any qualifiers or comments about the measurement, such as “estimate” or
“refitted.”
 Sort: Number the measurements from most to least relevant.
Rationale: CHIN and CCO suggest recording 3D objects as height, width, and depth. However, the most
obvious dimensions for many artifacts are length, width and depth, and our existing records use a
Length rather than Height field. We will continue to use Length as the greatest overall measurement,
mapping it to HT for CHIN.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Measurements
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: None
Created: November 05
Updated: January 2010
26
PART MEASURED
Definition: This field identifies the part of the object that is being measured.
Hint Text: The portion of the object being measured.
Data Type: Pop-up list
Entry Rules: This field defaults to “overall” to indicate the measure of maximum dimensions for
an entire object. If a portion of the object is being measured instead, Use the pop-up list to
select the appropriate term.
Formatting Rules: Enter a single term in lowercase letters
Examples:
overall
opening
working edge
LENGTH; WIDTH; THICKNESS; WEIGHT
Definition: These fields contain the numeric value of the object's length, width, thickness, and
weight.
Hint Text: The numeric value for the length/width/thickness/weight measurement.
Data Type: Free-text numeric
Entry Rules: Enter a single measurement for each field, expressed as a number only. If the object
is irregular, record the maximum value for each measurement unless otherwise noted in the
Part Measured field. Take only metric measurements. Do not include mounts or pedestals in the
measurement.
Formatting Rules: Use numeric values in Arabic. Enter decimals rather than fractions.
Examples:
70.5
50
9.21
Rationale: Our Thickness is equal to Depth in the Artefacts Canada dictionary.
Administrative Data:
CHIN Element: HT; WI; DP; WT
CHIN Requirement: At least one dimension field is required
27
UNIT (LENGTH; WIDTH; THICKNESS; WEIGHT)
Definition: These fields identify the unit of measurement for each dimension.
Hint Text: The unit for the length/width/thickness/weight measurement.
Data Type: Drop-down list
Entry Rules: Use the drop down list to select the unit of measurement. All measurements of the
object should be made in the same unit. Use cm or mm for dimensions and g for weight. If
different units are used (m, kg, in, oz), explain why in the note field. Use metric units unless
transcribing data that is given in imperial and the artifact is not available to be re-measured.
Formatting Rules: Abbreviate units according to ISO 31-0:1992 Quantities and units.
Examples:
cm
mm
g
Administrative Data:
CHIN Element: UNL
CHIN Requirement: Required for all measured values
28
INSCRIPTION
Definition: Any physical lettering, annotation, text, markings, or labels that are affixed, applied,
stamped, written, inscribed, or attached to the object, excluding any mark or text inherent in the
materials of which the work is made.
Hint Text: Open the flexi-fields to view or modify inscription information.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric.
Entry Rules: There is no display field for this entry. Click on the lever next to the field title to open the
flexi-field, and create new flexi-records to enter inscription information.
Formatting Rules: Record the transcription so that it accurately reflects the language, spelling, case,
diacritics, and abbreviations of the inscription on the work. Fill in abbreviated text if necessary for
clarity, but place these or any other editorial additions or translations in square brackets, “[ ]”. Note
line breaks with a forward slash,“/” and illegible text with a question mark inside of brackets, “[?]”.
Note missing text with an ellipsis in brackets, “[…]”. If the inscription is lengthy or written in nontextual symbols, provide a brief description in square brackets instead.
Examples:
Crown Staffordshire China Co. Ltd.
L [in circle]/ 314./ 452./ 55
Paley./ S.+M./ 1923
66[?]/ 452./ 335
Flexi-Fields:
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select the type of inscription, such as signature, stamp, ink, or
affixed artifact label.
 Inscription: Record an exact transcription of the text, including all punctuation and any spelling
errors. Follow the formatting rules described above.
 Location: Note the location of the inscription on the artifact, such as “centre of base,” “neck,”
or “right side of ventral surface”
 Method: Note the method by which the artifact was inscribed, such as “ink,” “incision,” or
“pencil on affixed paper.”
 Description: Enter any further descriptive notes such as the colour of ink used, or detailed
description of logo designs.
 Note: Enter any notes, regarding translation or the language of inscription, the type of script
used, or the author or manufacturer responsible for creating the inscription and the date of
production it may represent.
 Sort: Number the inscriptions from most to least prominent.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Inscription
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: NTRLT
Created: November 05
Updated: January 2010
29
DESCRIPTION
Definition: This field is used to describe notable physical characteristics of the object.
Hint Text: Physical description of the object.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: Provide a physical description of the object, focusing on information that will supplement,
qualify, or explain information indexed in various other fields. Include a basic description of the
processes by which the artifact was created, the general shape of the artifact, instances of use-wear
and locations of retouch. If it appears that an artifact was recycled or re-used, describe the evidence
and what it may have been used for. For flakes and cores, describe any visible platform
characteristics. Typological descriptions may also be given here. Note markings or inscriptions, but do
not describe them in detail here; enter all coded or textual markings or affixed labels in the Inscription
field instead.
Any information included here that is relevant to other fields, should also be entered in those fields.
Significant subjects should be linked under the Linked People, Objects, Subjects, Publications, or
Terms fields. Do not enter comments or cataloguing/analytical notes here. This field is for physical and
interpretive description of the artifact only. Comments and notes may be entered in the Note field.
Formatting Rules: The text entered into this field should form a coherent, easily understood statement.
Use complete sentences, and generic terms when possible. List information in the order of
importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations.
Examples:
Core reduction flake exhibiting three remnant flake scars and a single platform scar.
Cortex is present on 50% of the dorsal surface.
This artifact would be classified as a Bordes type 5 biface.
Roughly shaped side and end scraper. Made from Beaver River Sandstone that exhibits a
pink rind where it has not been retouched, indicating possible heat-treatment of the
material. There is heavy use wear on the working edges.
Burin on a break. Retouch and use wear across the burin facet indicate secondary use as a
scraper.
The vessel has a short neck, plain rim, plain base, and appliqué handles. It has been fired
with a turquoise glaze on the outer surface.
Flexi-Fields:
 Description: Create a flexi-record and enter the same information into it and the anchor field.
Maintain any previous descriptions as separate flexi-records unless you are only adding and not
deleting information, or if the changes are minor (related to spelling or grammar). In those
instances, modify the existing flexi-record.
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select whether this is a new description, or whether it is being
transcribed from an old catalogue or artifact label.
30






Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for writing the descriptive text from the
pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
archaeologist. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
Certainty: If you are unsure of some aspect of the description, enter “reasonably positive” or
“significant doubt.”
Note: Enter any further notes, for example the reasons for modifying an old Description or
comments on out-of-date descriptive terminology.
Sort: Number the descriptions from most to least recent.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Physical
Description
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
Recommended
CHIN Element: DE
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
31
STYLISTIC, CULTURAL & CHRONOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
33
CULTURE
Definition: This field refers to an “archaeological culture” composed of regularly occurring associated
artifacts, features, or burial types and house forms suggesting a distinct cultural identity. These
associated artifacts typically exhibit consistency in form, style, or production method that would have
been culturally transmitted from one generation to the next. Such groupings include traditions (often
spanning millennia and continents), complexes (regional culture groups), techno-complexes,
industries (local culture groups), and types (specific artifacts representing a larger cultural group).
Hint Text: The society or ethnic group associated with the object.
Data Type: Pop-up list.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the related archaeological culture. If the artifact can be traced
to multiple cultures, select all that apply. Mimsy will automatically add semi-colon to separate each
culture name.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK, except in some cases where the object is experimental. If the desired
Culture is not on the list, select the most accurate term or “unknown.” Enter any additional
information into the Description or Notes field.
Formatting Rules: Use the most commonly published version of the culture name. If various terms are
often in use, generally capitalize the name, and use the adjectival form. When there is no commonly
used adjectival form, use the noun form (for example, “Oxbow”). Capitalize terms for culture and
nationality, and avoid abbreviations. Use English terms except where no exact English-language
equivalent exists.
Examples:
Acheulean
Arctic Small Tool Tradition
Pelican Lake
Plains Side Notched
unknown
Flexi-Fields:
 Culture: The culture name entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here. Create new flexirecords to enter alternative or previous names for the archaeological culture.
 Stage/Type: Enter if the artifact represents or dates to a specific stage within the culture, e.g.
Type 1, Stage 1. You may use the pop-up list, or type the value into the field.
 Period: Enter if the artifact represents or dates to a specific period within the culture, e.g. lower
Acheulean. You may use the pop-up list, or type the value into the field.
 Prior Culture Name?: Check the box if the artifact has been reassigned to a different
archaeological culture and the entry is for a previous attribution. Note why the artifact was
reassigned in the “Note” field.
 Certainty: If you are unsure whether the assigned culture is accurate, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.”
 Note: Enter any further notes about the archaeological culture.
34




Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the culture name data from
the pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
other curator. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
Sort: Number the cultures according to priority, with most specific attributions first (“1”) and
more general attributions last (“2,” “3,” etc.)
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended; Required when
unknown Creator
CCO Element: Style; Culture
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: CU
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
35
GEOGRAPHIC CULTURAL AREA
Definition: This field refers to the broad ecoregions in which prehistoric peoples exhibit similar cultural
adaptations due to shared environmental influences.
Hint Text: The geographic cultural area associated with the object.
Data Type: pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select a single geographic cultural area. A term list sorted by
continent, and ordered from north to south is available in Appendix D, as well as a map of North
American cultural areas. Select a term based on the location of artifact discovery or collection. For
example, a projectile point found near Edmonton would belong to the Plains ecoregion/culture area.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the desired Geographic Cultural Area is not on the list, select the
most accurate term or “unknown.” Enter any additional information into the Description or Notes
field.
Formatting Rules: Select a single term, capitalizing proper nouns and place names.
Examples:
Mesoamerica
Northwest Coast
Southeastern Asia
Andes
Flexi-Fields: none
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Culture
CHIN Requirement:
Recommended
CHIN Element: GCUD
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
36
PERIOD DESIGNATION
Definition: This field contains the name of the historical period or any non-numeric chronological data
associated with the object. Period designations are based on generalized groupings of historic or
archaeological cultures based on similarities in art and technology over time. Different geographical
cultural areas follow different cultural sequences, depending on the pace and types of localized
technological advances.
Hint Text: Geological, chronological, or human time period associated with the object.
Data Type: Pop-up list
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list to select a single period designation. In Appendix D, the periods are
sorted by continent or cultural area, and representative date ranges are given. Select the most specific
period designation that can be accurately assigned to the artifact. For example, if it is only known that
the artifact represents the Palaeolithic Period, select “Palaeolithic” rather than “Lower,” “Middle,” or
“Late Palaeolithic”.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. If the period designation is unknown, select “unknown.” If the
appropriate term is not on the existing pop up list, new terms may be added. However, first ensure
that the desired term is truly a time period, and not an archaeological culture (see Culture, p. 35-36).
Also confirm that the name and date range for the time period have been obtained from a published,
authoritative source on the relevant geographic area or artifact type.
Formatting Rules: Enter the name of the period in natural word order, capitalizing all proper nouns.
Examples:
Middle Woodland
Bronze Age
Medieval
Palaeoindian
Flexi-fields: None
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Style/Period
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: PER
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
37
ARTIFACT AGE
Definition: This field describes the age of an artifact in years before present (BP) based on radiocarbon
dates, typological dates, or associations with a specific culture or period. For a cast or replica, it is the
age of the original artifact on which it is based.
Hint Text: Age of the original artifact in years Before Present (BP).
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: Enter the age of the original artifact as determined by archaeometric dating, or
typological/historical associations. If there is a date range during which the artifact may have been
created, enter the earliest and latest possible dates, separated by a dash. For calibrated radiocarbon
dates, add “cal.” after the numeral.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK, except if the object is experimental. If the age is unknown, select
“unknown.” For artifacts with known period designations, use the date range specified therein if a
more specific estimate is unavailable.
Formatting Rules: Always enter the date in years BP (before present). To do so, add 1950 years to dates
BCE/BC. For CE/AD dates, convert them to a negative integer and then add 1950 years.
For radiometric dates, enter the full date range in the display field (e.g., "2600-2000 cal.") and the full
scientific date in the Notes flexi-field (e.g., "uncalibrated date of 2165+/-50 BP, providing a date of
2300+/-200 cal. years BP"). Record calibration details in the Notes field if available. Always enter the
oldest (earliest) date first. Use a dash to express date ranges, but do not use punctuation in any other
circumstance. Do not use commas to separate digits, and always enter date ranges using full years
(e.g., use 1500-1550, not 1500-50).
Examples:
13500-12000 years BP
5880-5610 years BP, uncalibrated
2600-2000 cal. years BP
Flexi-Fields:
 Date Text: The text or date range entered in the display field will be auto-filled here.
 Relationship: Enter the method for dating the artifact: radiocarbon dating, tree-ring dating,
typological dating, fluoride dating, obsidian hydration, palaeomagnetic, etc.
 Earliest Year/Latest Year: These fields will be auto-entered based on the information given in
the display field. A date range will be parsed into the Earliest and Latest fields, while a single
date will be entered into both fields identically. Check to ensure that the date range has been
correctly parsed. If a single uncertain date was entered, modify these fields so that the date
range reflects this uncertainty. The extent of the range (five years, ten years, or a century)
should depend on the level of uncertainty.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the artifact age from the
pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
38





other curator. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
Certainty: If you are unsure whether an age is accurate, enter “reasonably positive” or
“significant doubt.” If the date is approximate, enter "C" for circa. If the number represents a
date before which the item would have been created, enter a "P" for prior to, or if it is the date
after which the item was created, enter "L" for later than.
Note: Enter any textual information about the age of the artifact, such as "9th Century BCE"
"based on a stratigraphic association with an Avonlea point," "calculated to a 95% accuracy,"
"circa," or "created prior to 650 BP."
Sort: Number the dates from most accurate (“1”) to least accurate (“2,” “3,” etc.)
Rationale: This field was created so that individual searches can be made for original versus
experimental/replica artifacts, and to prevent confusion between archaeological dates "before
present" (BP) and modern dates in the "current era" (CE or AD). It was also created because replicas
and casts may have two dates: one for the original artifact represented by the replica, and one
identifying the date the replica was created or manufactured.
For both CHIN and CCO, dates in the indexing fields (flexi-fields) should be expressed in years BC/AD
(BCE/CE for CCO) with dates BCE indicated as negative integers. Dates are entered here consistently
as BP, and will be mapped during transfer to Artefacts Canada. This will be done by changing the BP
date to a negative integer and then adding 1950 to the number. For numbers greater than 100,000
BP, the date will simply be converted to a negative integer without correcting by 1950, given the
greater margin of error for early dates. The display field will not be mapped to CHIN as it cannot be
accommodated by CHIN's flat database, but for CCO standards, the display field would be mapped as
well.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Creation Date
CHIN Requirement: Required
where applicable
CHIN Element: BPD1/EPD2
Created: January 2010
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
39
LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY
40
PLACE COLLECTED
Definition: This field is used to indicate the place from which the specimen was collected.
Hint Text: The geographic location where the object was collected.
Data Type: Linked authority
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up function to open the Places Authority as a searchable pop-up list. Select the
most specific place from which the specimen is known to have been collected. This can be done by
following the hierarchy tree to the correct place name, or by typing the desired name into the search
box.
DO NOT LEAVE THIS FIELD BLANK. Use the most specific place name known for the object. If the
continent is all that is known, enter that. If the desired place name is not on the list, select the most
accurate term form the list, and enter additional information in the flexi-fields. If the location is truly
unknown, enter “unknown.”
Formatting Rules: See the Place Authority, page 86.
Examples:
Europe: France, Dordogne, Le Moustier
North America: Canada, Alberta
South America: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Lagoa Santa Karst
Flexi-Fields:

Place: The place name entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here. Create new flexirecords to enter any alternative, former, or foreign-language names for the location.

Place Details: Enter any information pertaining to the proximity of the place listed to the exact
location from which the object was collected, for example: “Found 5km southeast of Medicine
Hat.”

Prior Attribution?: Check this box for prior place names that are no longer in use.

Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the location data from the
pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
archaeologist. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.

Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.

Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.

Certainty: if you are unsure whether you have entered the correct place name, enter
“reasonably positive” or “significant doubt.”

Note: Enter any further notes about the Place Collected, for example the specific language of a
foreign-language term, or reasons for uncertainty.
41

Sort: number the place names from most relevant to least relevant. The preferred name
should be “1,” followed by alternative names “2,” “3,” etc. in order of which names are more
commonly known.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Discovery Location
CHIN Requirement: Strongly
recommended
CHIN Element: ORCT; ORCRY;
ORPR; ORMU
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
42
SITE
Definition: This field contains the name of the archaeological site where the object was collected. For a
cast or replica, it is the site from which the original artifact was recovered.
Hint Text: The archaeological site where the object was collected.
Data Type: Linked authority
Entry Rules: Select the name of the site from which the specimen was collected from the pop up list
linked to the Sites Authority. Leave this field blank for experimentally-produced artifacts.
Formatting Rules: When creating a new Site record, enter the full place name. Avoid abbreviations and
capitalize all proper names. If a name includes an article or preposition (des, la, l’), generally use
lowercase unless it is the first word in the name. Use English unless no common English version for
the name exists. List alternative site names, such as the Borden number or Parks Canada number for
Canadian archaeological sites, in the flexi-field.
Examples:
Barma Grande
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Flexi-Fields:
 Site: The site names entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here. Create new flexi-records
to enter any alternative, former, or foreign-language names for the site, as well as all names
based on national or institutional numbering systems (e.g., Borden, Smithsonian, Parks Canada
designation, SASES).
 Prior Attribution?: Check this box for prior site names that are no longer in use.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the site data from the popup list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or other
curator. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
 Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
 Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
 Certainty: if you are unsure whether you have entered the correct site name, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.”
 Note: Enter any further notes about the Site, e.g., the language of a foreign term, or reasons for
uncertainty.
Sort: Number the site names from most relevant to least relevant. The preferred name should
be “1,” followed by alternative names “2,” “3,” etc. in the order in which they are commonly
used.
43
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Discovery Location
CHIN Requirement:
Recommended
CHIN Element: ZNA; ZBN
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
44
PROVENIENCE
Definition: This field indicates the specific location/context within the larger site from which the object
was collected. For a cast or replica, it is the provenience in which the original artifact was found.
Hint Text: The exact location where the object was discovered.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: Enter the provenience beginning from the most general category (e.g., excavation block or
site feature) to the most specific (e.g., three dimensional measurements within an excavation unit).
Give as much information as possible. If the artifact was discovered on the surface with no other
provenience information, enter “surface collection.” If the provenience is unknown (e.g., a surface
find by a farmer), enter “unknown.” Provenience information is usually recorded for all excavated
materials. Leave this field blank for experimentally-produced artifacts.
Formatting Rules: Use lowercase letters except for proper nouns. Qualify locations if necessary (e.g.,
“next to house pit 13”). Do not use abbreviations. Ensure that all features, excavation areas, and
datum reference points are described within the Sites Authority, as well as any relevant publications.
Examples:
unknown
surface collection
master pit 2, unit H-13, depth 269"
Abrigo 6, area A, level 8, T E 2-3
surface collection, area D
Flexi-Fields: None.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Discovery Location
CHIN Requirement:
Recommended
CHIN Element: various
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
Updated: March 2012
45
COLLECTOR
Definition: This field contains the names of the collectors or researchers responsible for excavating,
recording, or otherwise acquiring the specimen prior to its ownership by the Department of
Anthropology.
Hint Text: The name of the collector, intermediary, excavator, and/or surveyor.
Data Type: Linked authority
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up function to open the People Authority as a searchable pop-up list. Select
the name of the collector, intermediary, or excavator. Institutions may be selected if the specific
researcher is unknown. If entering more than one name, select the names one at a time. They will
automatically be separated by a semi-colon. Enter names from senior to junior or alphabetically.
Formatting Rules: See People Authority.
Examples:
Gruhn, Dr. Ruth
Geology Department, University of Alberta
Corner, F.
Roy, C. A., M.Sc.
Flexi-Fields:
 Name: The names entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here.
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select whether the person or institution was responsible for artifact
collection, excavation, surveying, or acting as an intermediary. This field defaults to “collector.”
 Prior name?: Check the box if this person has changed names, or is now known not to have
been associated with the artifact. Make a note of why the name has been changed in the
“Note” field.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the collector name data
from the pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an
appraiser or archaeologist. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if
they were responsible for previously attributed data.
 Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
 Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
 Certainty: If you are unsure whether you have correctly identified a collector, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.”
 Note: Enter any further notes about the collector.
 Sort: Number the names from most relevant to least relevant, based on seniority or level of
involvement in artifact collection.
46
Rationale: CCO recommends using natural word order for formatting names in the display field;
however, given that CCO also recommends using inverted order in the Names Authority, and since
CHIN recommends using inverted word order, we have chosen to continue using inverted word order
for the collector name display.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: Examination
History
CHIN Requirement:
Recommended
CHIN Element: MCOL
Created: November 20 05
Updated: January 2010
47
DATE COLLECTED
Definition: This field describes the date the object was collected and/or acquired by the intermediary.
Hint Text: Date object or specimen was collected (YYYY-MM-DD).
Data Type: free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: Enter the date that the artifact was collected from its original context at an archaeological
site. Other relevant dates, such as the date that the artifact was acquired by a private collector, can be
entered in the flexi-fields. If the exact month and day are unknown, enter only the year. If there is a
date range during which the artifact may have been collected, enter the earliest and latest possible
dates, separated by a dash. Do not use “n.d.” or “no date.” If the specific date is unknown, record
dates or date ranges with the greatest accuracy known, and make a note in the Certainty field.
For casts and replicas, enter the date that the original artifact was collected from its original context, if
known. Do not use this field for experimental artifacts.
Formatting Rules: Enter the date as YYYY-MM-DD, YYYY-MM, or YYYY, depending on the level of detail
known. Always use a dash to separate the year, month, and day, and to express date ranges, but do
not use punctuation or commas in any other circumstance. Always use four digits for the year and two
digits for the month and day. Do not use abbreviations. Please refer to Date Made formatting rules in
the Help Menu for further information.
Examples:
2005-07-07
1975-06 - 1975-07
1927
Flexi-Fields:
 Date Text: The full date or date range entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here.
 Type: Use the pop-up list to select the type of collection activity that occurred at this date.
 Prior date?: Check the box if this date is now known to be incorrect. Make a note of why the date
has been changed in the “Note” field. If the same date has simply been re-entered in a new
format, delete the old entry rather than checking this box.
 Earliest and Latest Year, Month/Day: These fields will be auto-parsed based on the information
entered in the anchor field. A date range will be parsed into the Earliest and Latest fields, while a
single date will be entered into both fields identically. The month/day will be translated into a
three or four digit number (2008-08has been correctly parsed.
 If a single uncertain date was entered, modify these fields so that the date range reflects this
uncertainty. The extent of the range (five years, ten years, or a century) should depend on the
level of uncertainty.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning chronological data from the
pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
archaeologist. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
48
 Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
 Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter the
name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
 Certainty: If you are unsure whether a date is accurate, enter “reasonably positive” or “significant
doubt.” If the date is approximate, enter "C" for circa. If the number represents a date before
which the item would have been created, enter a "P" for prior to, or if it is the date after which
the item was created, enter "L" for later than.
 Note: Enter any further notes about the date the artifact was collected.
 Sort: Number the dates from most important to least important.
Rationale: In terms of dating, CCO only makes recommendations for Creation Date. Their format
involves using a more complex display field format, allowing for many variations in the date fields for
periods, eras, and decades during which an object was created. However, given that Date Collected is
usually a specific, known date, and given that Mimsy’s flexi-fields parse out the Earliest Date and
Latest Date most accurately when the date is entered in the YYYY-MM-DD format, we have chosen to
continue using this more basic format.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: Examination
History
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: COLD
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
49
CREATION INFORMATION
50
MAKER
Definition: This field names the maker or manufacturer of an original or experimental artifact, cast or
replica.
Hint Text: Person or organization responsible for creation of the object.
Data Type: Linked authority
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up function to open the People Authority as a pop-up list. For experimental
artifacts or, select the name of the individual or organization that created the specimen. For casts and
replicas, select both the name of the creator of the replica, and the creator of the original artifact, if
known. For original artifacts where the creator is known, select their name from the list, and select
"unknown" when the creator is not known. Distinguish between the different types of creators in the
flexi-fields (see below).
If entering more than one name, select one at a time. A semi-colon will automatically separate multiple
entries. If the desired name is not found in the pop-up list, do not enter a new name here; go to the
People Authority and create a full record of the individual or institution, which can then be linked to
the object.
Formatting Rules: See People Authority, page 83.
Examples:
Bonnichsen, Robson, Dr.
Young, David E.
University of New Mexico
Institut de Paleontologie Humaine
Flexi-Fields:
 Name: The names entered in the anchor field will be auto-filled here.
 Bio: If a brief biography was entered in the People Authority, it will be auto-filled here. If you
wish to add a biography, go to the maker’s entry in the authority and enter it under Brief Bio.
 Relationship: This field will auto-fill as “maker,” which is used to denote the makers of original
or experimental artifacts. If cataloguing a different relationship, delete “maker” and Use the
pop-up list to select "cast maker" or "replica maker" instead.
 Prior name?: Check the box if this person has changed names, or is now known not to have
been associated with the artifact. Make a note of why the name has been changed in the Note
field.
 Begin Date Made: If there is a range of dates during which the item may have been created,
enter the earliest possible date in YYYY-MM-DD format. If the exact date is known, enter the
exact date.
 End Date Made: If there is a range of dates during which the item may have been created, enter
the latest possible date in YYYY-MM-DD format. If the exact date is known, enter the exact date.
 Place Made: Use the pop-up list to enter the geographic place made to the greatest detail
known, such as city, province, or country.
 Attributor: Select the name of the person responsible for assigning the creator data from the
pop-up list. In most cases, this will be either your own name or the name of an appraiser or
51





other curator. You should also enter the names of previous owners or institutions if they were
responsible for previously attributed data.
Attribution Date: Use the pop-up function to enter the current date automatically. For prior
attributions, enter dates in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
Attribution Source: If a reference was used to determine information about the object, enter
the name of the reference, and include a link to the source under Linked Publications.
Certainty: If you are unsure whether you have correctly identified a maker, enter “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt.” It is sometimes unclear whether an Institution tied to the object
actually produced the cast or if they are simply an intermediary or the holder of the original.
Describe such certainty issues under Note.
Note: Enter any further notes about the maker.
Sort: Number the names from most relevant to least relevant, based on seniority regarding
involvement in artifact production.
Rationale: CCO recommends using natural word order for formatting names in the display field;
however, given that CCO also recommends using inverted order in the Names Authority, and since
CHIN recommends using inverted word order, we have chosen to continue using inverted word order
for the collector name display.
In order to accommodate AC’s flat database, information from the relationship and certainty fields will
be mapped and/or appended to the appropriate AC field. CHIN-CCO rule: There may be one or more
names, pseudonyms, nicknames, appellations for each person or corporate body, which are entered
in the Variation flexi-field in the People Authority. Variations will include inverted and natural word
order, and names with and without titles and honorifics. It must be ensured that the preferred name
used in the Authority is the name entered in this field.
The Date Made field has been removed from the archaeology view to simplify the data and to prevent
information about artifact date made from being mixed with information about the dates that replicas
and experimental items were made. Dates replicas are made are entered here under Maker instead,
while artifact dates are entered under Artifact Age. Dates from both fields should still be mapped to
BPD1 and EPD1 for Artefacts Canada. Because the collection currently contains prehistoric artifacts
with either unknown dates, or dates in the tens of thousands before present, the Date Made field
does not usefully apply to the artifacts in this collection and would not be consistent with other
collections held by MACS. If historic artifacts are accessioned into the collection in the future, it is
recommended that a separate view be created, where the Date Made field can be used to enter
creation dates for historic items as it is used in the CLTX and UAAC collections.
CHIN Element: AR/ME/MF
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Creator
Created: April 1996
Updated: January 2010
CHIN Requirement: Required
52
NOTES
53
SOURCE
Definition: The name of the person or organization from which Anthropology received the artifact.
Hint Text: The person or organization that donated the object.
Data Type: Pop-up list.
Entry Rules: Select the name of the person or organization responsible for donating or otherwise
providing the artifact to the Archaeology Collection from the pop-up list. If entering more than one
name, select the names one at a time. They will automatically be separated by a semi-colon. Enter
names from senior to junior or alphabetically.
Formatting Rules: See People Authority.
Examples:
Ami, Dr. H. M.
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Bryan, Dr. Alan L.
Flexi-Fields: None
Rationale: This field is redundant to the information kept in the Acquisition Authority, but has been kept
in the catalogue to facilitate searching the database.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: SR
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
54
NOTE
Definition: This field contains any notes, comments, or additional information about the object, its
historic or prehistoric significance, and its collection history.
Hint Text: Notes, comments, or additional information.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric.
Entry Rules: Enter notes, comments, or additional information that cannot be entered elsewhere in the
record. Relevant topics include the relationship of this artifact or artifact type to others or to a specific
archaeological culture or period. This field may also include comments on the historic or prehistoric
significance of the object, the relevance of technological or artistic features exhibited by the object, or
disputed issues regarding classification or dating. For replicas or experimental artifacts, this field may
be used to discuss significance of the item to the intended research goals or conclusions. Significant
subjects should be linked under the Linked People, Objects, Subjects, Publications, or Terms fields.
If a record must be flagged for follow-up, or if you are noting uncertainties that should be researched
and corrected in the future, they may be entered here. However, also inform the laboratory
coordinator.
Formatting Rules: Use complete sentences and generic terms when possible. List information in order of
importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names, and avoid
abbreviations.
Examples:
Specimen has no label but was found among artifacts of the Labrousse 1923 Collection.
Study specimen concerning the problem of man-made vs. naturally-made artifacts.
Recovered from a cultivated field in association with projectile points, scrapers, and lithic
debitage.
No notes exist to indicate the significance of this artifact to Crabtree’s experimental
procedure.
The chert composing this artifact is probably local to Lansing, Michigan (Source: Geology
Department Catalogue).
The cast includes restoration and reconstruction of the tip and blade edge.
Flexi-Fields: None
Rationale: Since they were being used interchangeably, we have combined the Note and Cataloguer’s
remarks fields into a single field.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Other Descriptive
Notes
CHIN Requirement:
Recommended
CHIN Element: CREM
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
55
LOT SUMMARY
Definition: This field lists the accession numbers of the artifacts contained within a lot.
Hint Text: The accession numbers of all artifacts that make up the lot.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric.
Entry Rules: This field is only used for LOT records. Enter the accession numbers of all artifacts grouped
within the lot.
Formatting Rules: Enter the numbers, indicating ranges of number with a dash, and separating entries
with a comma.
Examples:
967.1.190-197
967.1.456, 967.1.515, 969.17.23, 995.26.1
967.2.1-5
Flexi-Fields: None
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Relationships and
Relationship Types
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: None
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
56
LINKED ACTIVITIES
57
LEGAL STATUS
Definition: This field describes the object’s legal status.
Hint Text: Open flexi-fields to view legal status information.
Data Type: Auto-filled
Entry Rules: Information will automatically be entered into this field. Do not add any additional
information.
Formatting Rules: None
Examples:
ARCHAEOLOGY COLLECTION
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement:
CHIN Element:
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
58
HOME LOCATION
Definition: This field describes the permanent storage location of the object.
Hint Text: The location where the object is housed when not travelling.
Data Type: Free-text alphanumeric
Entry Rules: This field defaults to Archaeology Teaching Lab (1-28). Do not change this entry unless the
artifact has been permanently moved to a different location.
Formatting Rules: Enter the name of the room, if applicable, followed by the room number. Rooms are
assumed to be within Tory Building at the University of Alberta; only specify the building and
institution if this is not the case.
Examples:
Archaeology Teaching Lab (1-28)
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Current Location
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: PLBS
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
59
LOCATION
Definition: This field describes the current location of the object. This may include a loan to another
Department or Institution, or a display case on campus.
Hint Text: Read-only. The physical placement of the object. Entered in Location Activity.
Data Type: Auto-filled, Read-only.
Entry Rules: Information will automatically be entered into this field. Do not add any additional
information. A new Location Activity Record must be created if the object is being temporarily moved
for display or loan.
Formatting Rules: The location is entered as [Building], [Room #], [drawer row/cupboard/cabinet
number], [drawer/tray/shelf number]
Examples:
Tory, 1-28, 19, a
Tory, Hallway, North, 15
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: Required
CCO Element: Current Location
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: CLBS
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
CONDITION
Definition: This field describes the object’s condition.
Hint Text: Read-only. The physical status of the object. Entered in Condition Activity.
Data Type: Auto filled, read-only.
Entry Rules: Information will automatically be entered into this field. Do not add any additional
information. Further details on the object's condition may be found by clicking on the Condition
Activity Link in the left sidebar.
Formatting Rules: None
Examples:
good
broken
chipped
weathered
Administrative Data:
60
CCO Requirement:
Recommended
CCO Element: Condition and
Examination;History/Conservatio
n and Treatment History
CHIN Requirement:
CHIN Element: KPC
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
VALUATION
Definition: This field describes the object’s monetary value.
Hint Text: Read-only. Current monetary value of object. Entered in Value Activity.
Data Type: Auto filled, read-only.
Entry Rules: Information will automatically be entered into this field. Do not add any additional
information. Dollar values may legally be assigned to casts and replicas, but this field should be blank
for most original artifacts.
Formatting Rules: None.
Examples:
CAD 100.00
CAD 25.00
USD 67.35
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: PP; APP
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
61
LINKED AUTHORITIES
62
LINKED AUTHORITIES
Definition: These fields are used to create links to entries in the authorities that have not already been
created during data entry. They provide a cross-reference for objects, people, institutions, and
geographic places that are associated by collection history or usage. They also provide a crossreference for related publications and for the description of organic materials, archaeological cultures
or artifact types, or other specific terminology relevant to the catalogued object. This may include
indexing of contradictory and comparative material.
Hint Text: Open flexi fields to add or view Media/Object/People/Place/Publication/Subject/
Taxonomy/Thesaurus Authority records related to the object.
Data Type: Linked Authority
Basic Entry Rules: There are no display fields for the linked authorities. To access the flexi-fields, click on
the lever next to the field title.
Basic Flexi-Fields: The flexi-fields are used to enter details about the linked information in the
authorities, including its relationship to the object in the catalogue, date ranges, and notes about the
related terms.
 Prior Attribution?: Check this box for previously attributed relationships that are no longer
considered accurate.
 Sort: Number the linked items from most relevant to least relevant.
 Certainty: If you are unsure about the relationship between the object and linked item, enter
“reasonably positive” or “significant doubt.”
 Note: Enter any further notes about the relationship of the object to the linked item.
LINKED MEDIA
Entry Rules: Media links are created by MACS. Do not enter text in this field.
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Media ID: The filename of the image or other media file linked to the object.
 Relationship: The view of the object given in the media image.
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement:
Required
CCO Element: View
Information
CHIN Requirement:
CHIN Element:
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
LINKED OBJECTS
Entry Rules: This field is used to link artifacts related to this one by collection, history, or usage.
Do not link items that have already been linked as a lot under Whole/Part.
Specific Flexi-Fields:
63
 ID Number: Use the pop-up function to open the Object Authority as a pop-up list and
select the accession numbers of the related artifacts.
 Title/Name: This field will be auto-filled with information from the Object Record for the
linked artifact.
 Relationship: Enter the reason the objects have been linked.
Rationale: This ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Field in Artefacts Canada, maps best to our linked
objects. It could also be used to hold other of our linked information. (There are only 2 items in
our Linked Objects)
LINKED PEOPLE
Entry Rules: This field is used to link previous cataloguers, researchers, or institutions that have
handled, treated, or analyzed the artifact at some point in time. Do not link collectors,
intermediaries, donors, or sources here; they are linked through other fields in the catalogue.
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Name: Use the pop-up function to open the People Authority as a pop-up list and select
the names of the related people or institutions.
 Relationship: Enter the type of interaction between the person and the artifact, such as
“previous cataloguer,” “owner,” “used by,” or “researcher.”
LINKED PLACES
Entry Rules: This field is used to link the object to any previous locations in which it may have
been used, displayed, analyzed, or otherwise resided. This may also include geographic
locations where manufactured items of known origin were created.
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Place: Use the pop-up function to open the Places Authority as a pop-up list and select the
names of the related geographic locations.
 Relationship: Enter the type of activity that occurred to the object while it resided in the
previous location, such as a “displayed at,” “loaned to,” “used at,” etc.
 Begin date/End date: Enter the dates during which the object resided at the previous
location. Use YYYY-MM-DD formatting (preferred) or refer to the Help Menu for other
formatting methods.
 Specific Locale: Enter any details regarding location that are not a component of the
Places Authority.
LINKED PUBLICATIONS
Entry Rules: This field is used to link relevant sources, published or unpublished, that may be
referenced to provide further information on the object. This may include excavation reports
for the site from which the artifact was collected, artifact classification manuals or resources,
papers discussing related raw materials or techniques, and books or papers on the Geographic
Culture Area, Style, or Period to which the artifact may be assigned.
64
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Publication: Use the pop-up function to open the Publications Authority as a pop-up list and
select the title names of the sources to be referenced.
 Publication Date: Enter the date that the source was published (for unpublished works, enter
the date that the manuscript was completed, bound, or printed, depending on the type of
work.
 Relationship: Enter the nature of the relationship between the object and the publication, for
example, if the artifact itself is described in an excavation report, or if the publication was used
as a “resource” for assigning artifact typology, material type, culture type, or other analysis.
 Portion: Enter the portion of the resource that was used for reference, for example “Chapter
3” or “Appendix II.”
 Pages: Enter the numbers of the pages that were used for reference, for example “2-46” or
“367.”
 Plate/Figure: Reference any figures or photos that are related to the artifact, for example
photographs of the artifact or its raw material, or diagrams of the artifact type to which it has
been assigned, or illustrations of techniques used to create it.
 Illustrated?: Check this box if the resource contains illustrations relevant to the artifact.
LINKED SUBJECTS
Entry Rules: This field is used to link to the definitions of relevant subjects, such as named artifact types
and archaeological cultures (see discussion of the Subject Authority).
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Subject: Use the pop-up function to open the Subject Authority as a pop-up list and select the
relevant related subjects. If you have assigned a culture type or artifact type to the object, it
should be linked here.
 Relationship: Enter the type of relationship between the object and the subject. Usually this
can be done by entering the information form the subject Category field in the Subject
Authority, for example “culture” for the archaeological culture represented by the artifact, or
“lithics” for the lithic tool type under which the artifact has been classified.
LINKED TAXONOMY
Entry Rules: This field is used to record information about objects created from or composed of faunal
materials. Use the Note field for detailed description, and use the remaining flexi-fields for
specific terms that could be used for indexing and retrieval.
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Scientific Name: Use the pop-up function to open the Taxonomy Authority as a linked
hierarchical list, and search for the correct taxonomic identification. Use the “copy term”
command to enter the most specific identifiable taxon for the object. For example, if the bone
is related to deer but it cannot be certainly identified as mule deer, white-tailed deer, or elk,
enter the family name, Cervidae rather than the genus, Odocoileus, or Cervus. Generally it is
very difficult to identify a specimen to the species level; DO NOT GUESS. Enter any uncertain
species information in the Note flexi-field.
65
 Relationship: Use the pop-up list to select the term that describes the level of taxonomic
classification used under Scientific Name.
 Element: Enter the name of the bone or other element type, if identifiable (femur, deciduous
tooth, vertebra, phalanx, unidentifiable).
 Portion: Enter the part of the element, if identifiable (distal, medial, epiphysis, spinous
process, ramus, sphenoid process).
 Side: Use the pop-up list to select whether the element was a part of the “left” or “right” half
of the body, “axial” (for vertebrae and other symmetrical elements), or “unidentified.”
 Age: Enter the estimated age of the faunal specimen, either in number of years or as juvenile,
infant, or adult. Describe indicators of age, such as epiphyseal fusion, tooth wear and tooth
eruption stage, and antler development in the Note flexi-field.
 Sex: If identifiable, enter the sex of the specimen. Describe indicators of sex, such as robsticity,
size of canine teeth or muscle attachments, baculum, antler development etc. in the Note
flexi-field.
 Modification: Enter modifications (marks and breakage patterns) or pathologies (healed or
partially healed fractures, osteoporosis, or other irregularities). Use this flexi-field to enter the
basic term referring to the modification or pathology type, and enter a more detailed
description in the Note flexi-field.
LINKED TERMS
Entry Rules: This field is used to link to the definitions of relevant terms in the Thesaurus, such as
materials, techniques, styles/periods, physical attributes, and associated concepts (see
discussion of the Thesaurus, p. 91).
Specific Flexi-Fields:
 Subject: Use the pop-up function to open the Thesaurus as linked hierarchical list and select
the relevant related terms. Terms that may be linked here include definitions tools, materials,
techniques, stylistic periods, condition, function, and other attributes and properties discussed
elsewhere in the object record.
 Relationship: Enter the way in which the term is related to the artifact, for example if a
material type is only related to a portion of the artifact.
66
COPYRIGHT & USER INFORMATION
67
LOAN ALLOWED?
Definition: This field indicates whether the artifact may be loaned to other departments or institutions.
Hint Text: None
Data Type: Yes/No check-box
Entry Rules: This field defaults to a checked-box with a Y beside it to represent “yes,” loan allowed. If a
loan is allowed, leave the field unmodified. If a loan is not allowed, click the box to remove the check
mark, and the Y will change to an N for “no” loan.
Formatting Rules: N/A
Examples: N/A
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: None
CHIN Element: None
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
PUBLISH?
Definition: This field indicates copyright ownership of images of the object, and states whether
photographs of the artifact may be published to the MACS website, placed on display, or sent to
Artefacts Canada.
Hint Text: None
Data Type: Yes/No check-box
Entry Rules: This field defaults to a checked-box with a Y beside it to represent “yes,” publication
allowed. If copyright is not restricted and publication is allowed, leave the field unmodified. If it is not
allowed, click the box to remove the check mark, and the Y will change to an N for “no” publication.
Formatting Rules: N/A
Examples: N/A
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement:
CHIN Element:
Created: December 1996
Updated: January 2010
68
Created By
Definition: This field contains the user ID of the person who created this record into the database.
Hint Text: Read-only. Person who entered record into system.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated by Mimsy based on the user ID of the person signed in
to the system when the current record was created.
CREATE DATE
Definition: This field contains the date that this record was created.
Hint Text: Read-only. Date that the record was created in the system.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated by Mimsy when the record is created, using the format
YYYY-MM-DD.
UPDATED BY
Definition: This field contains the user ID of the person who last updated the record in the database.
Hint Text: Read-only. Person who most recently updated information in the record.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically updated by Mimsy each time information in the record is
modified, based on the user ID of the person signed in to the system at that time.
UPDATE DATE
Definition: This field contains the most recent date that this record was modified.
Hint Text: Read-only. Date that the record was last updated.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically updated by Mimsy each time information in the record is
modified, entering the current date using the format YYYY-MM-DD.
69
CHIN REQUIRED FIELDS
(The data to be entered in here is predetermined and identical for each artifact, and so these fields are
not included in database. Information for these fields is automatically generated by MACS when
uploading our catalogue to Artefacts Canada)
70
INSTITUTION
Definition: This field describes the institution responsible for the creation and maintenance of the
database document in which the artifact is being catalogued. This does not equate to location of
curation or legal ownership of the object; it simply records the identity of the institution uploading
information to Artefacts Canada.
Entry Rules: Enter the full name of the institution in natural word order, capitalizing proper names.
Format the name according to the official published or advertised version used by the institution.
Avoid abbreviations, except abbreviations that are part of the institution’s official name, and include
all diacritics.
Example: University of Alberta Museums
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: INS
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
INSTITUTION CITY
Definition: This field contains the name of the city, town, or municipality in which the institution is
located.
Entry Rules: Enter the preferred, full name of the city in natural word order, capitalizing proper names.
Format the name according to the official published or advertised version used by the municipal
government. Avoid abbreviations, and include all diacritics. If the preferred name includes an article
or preposition (such as la or l’), use lowercase unless the article or preposition is the first element in
the name.
Example: Edmonton
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: INSCTY
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
71
INSTITUTION PROVINCE
Definition: This field contains the name of the province, territory, or state in which the institution is
located.
Entry Rules: Enter the preferred, full name of the province in natural word order, capitalizing proper
names. Format the name according to the official published or advertised version used by the
provincial government. Avoid abbreviations, and include all diacritics. If the preferred name includes
an article or preposition (such as la or l’), use lowercase unless the article or preposition is the first
element in the name.
Example: Alberta
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: INSPR
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
DISCIPLINE
Definition: This field names the discipline or branch of learning under which the object may fall.
Entry Rules: Entries must be selected from the 2006 “Discipline Authority List proposed for the
Humanities (Derived from the Art & Architecture Thesaurus).” Use lowercase lettering and natural word
order. A semicolon and a space should separate multiple entries.
Example: archaeology
Administrative Data:
CCO Requirement: None
CCO Element: None
CHIN Requirement: Required
CHIN Element: DSCD
Created: November 2005
Updated: January 2010
72
CCO RECOMMENDED & REQUIRED FIELDS FOR
AUTHORITIES
(Only those fields that are part of our database system and that are discussed in the CCO Manual are
addressed here. We use all of the CCO required fields, but not all of the recommended fields are relevant to
archaeological materials collections. Many fields that are present in our authorities are not discussed by CCO,
and while they should be monitored for data quality, they are not required in order to meet with CCO
standards, and are not within the scope of the Digital Documentation Project)
73
Media Authority (VIEW INFORMATION)
View information includes details about the object as it appears in an image (media). The description of the
view is intended to provide a more complete experience and understanding of the object to the viewer, and
is especially important for three-dimensional items such as artifacts, sculpture, and architecture. It should
elaborate on spatial, chronological, or contextual aspects of the object and the media.
VIEW TYPE (VIEW)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: The specific vantage or perspective, usually describing the side or aspect of the object being
photographed. This field is used to help users to distinguish between multiple images of the same
object.
Formatting Rules: Use a single, simple phrase or term for this field. Use the pop-up menu to select the
correct view of the artifact presented in the image.
VIEW DESCRIPTION (CAPTION)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: A basic statement describing the spatial, chronological, or contextual aspects of the work
captured in the image.
Formatting Rules: The description should incorporate the view type and the object name in the
description, and as little other information as possible. Terminology should be consistent between
entries. Use lowercase except for proper nouns, avoid abbreviations, and use natural word order. If
the view is a detail of a portion of the artifact, enter “detail;” otherwise it is assumed to be a full
view.
DATE (DATE CAPTURED)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: The date or date range associated with the original production of the image, if known. This
must be distinguished from other administrative dates such as the reprinting of a photograph or
transfer of an image between different file formats. Record the date of the view itself, so that the
age of the image, and the item within it, can be accurately interpreted.
Formatting Rules: Enter as YYYY-MM-DD
74
VIEW SUBJECT (LINKED OBJECTS, SUBJECTS &TERMS)
CCO Status: Required when applicable.
Definition: This field is only required by CCO when the subject matter depicted in the image is specific
to the image and distinct from that of the artifact in general. Terms or phrases that characterize the
subject matter of the work as depicted in the image. This allows for linking and retrieval of images
directly to the subject matter, so that images themselves can be searched thematically.
Formatting Rules: Use the linked authorities to link the image to the artifact it depicts (Objects), the
related artifact type or archaeological culture (Subjects) or descriptive terms from the thesaurus
(Terms).
75
People Authority
(PERSONAL AND CORPORATE NAMES AUTHORITY)
Summary: The personal and corporate names authority contains names and other information about all
nonfictional persons and groups associated with the artifacts in the Object Authority. This includes artists,
architects, studios, architectural firms, and others responsible for the design and production of cultural works
or replicas. It will also contain information about patrons, repositories, and other persons or corporate bodies
related to particular works. For archaeology, this will also include all collectors, archaeological permit
holders, experimental artifact creators, and any other researcher or intermediary involved with the artifacts
in the collection.
For the purposes of the archaeology database, all prehistoric artifact creators are assumed to be unknown,
and are not included here. Identity of the prehistoric creator can be interpreted based on the Geographic
Cultural Area, Archaeological Culture, and Period with which the artifact is associated. Makers of
experimental artifacts, replicas, and casts; however, are mostly known and so are included here.
NAMES
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field should include the preferred name, as well as all alternative names or variations
of the name.
Formatting Rules: Capitalize surnames, initials, first names, and honorifics.
For individuals, use the following order: Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial, Title/Honorific. Initials
should be followed by periods. When determining whether to capitalize prepositions (des, la, von,
der) and whether to use full names or initials, refer to the individual’s listing at their institution of
work, or to their publication record, for the most common usage.
For organizations and institutions, enter the full name in title case, in natural word order (unless the
name of the organization specifically uses un-capitalized words or an alternative word order). When
determining the language of the name and whether to use abbreviations, Inc./Ltd., diacritics, or
other symbols or designations, refer to the most commonly published or advertized version of the
name.
Parse out the name segments under the fields Title, First Name, Surname, and Suffix.
RECORD TYPE (INDIVIDUAL?)
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Distinguishes records for persons from those for corporate bodies.
Formatting Rules: Click the box if the record is for an individual person. A check-mark will appear, and
the letter beside the box will read Y for “yes.” If the record is for a group, institution, or other
corporate body, leave the box blank, with an N for “no.”
GENDER
76
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Record the gender of the individual as “male,” “female,” or “unknown.” Do not use this
field for corporate bodies.
Formatting Rules: Use a single term, in lowercase letters.
DISPLAY BIBLIOGRAPHY (BRIEF BIO)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Record a concise phrase noting nationality, life roles, and birth and death dates for an
individual, or national affiliation, function, and dates of establishment and dissolution for a corporate
body.
Formatting Rules: Capitalize nationality, culture, place names, or other proper nouns, and use
lowercase for all other words. Use abbreviations only for dates (ca., CE, 17th century).
Use the following syntax: “nationality” [space] “life role” [comma, space] “birth date-death date”
Examples:
Canadian experimental artifact creator, 1948-present
French archaeologist, 1919-1981
American amateur collector, ca. 1905
NATIONALITY
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Term referring to the national, geopolitical, cultural, or ethnic origins or affiliation of the
person. Nationality does not have to refer to a legal nation-state, but must refer to a real, defined
place or culture. Include historical or previously existing nationalities when applicable.
Formatting Rules: Record the adjectival form of the nation or culture in natural word order,
capitalizing proper nouns.
BIRTH DATE/DEATH DATE
CCO Status: Required
Definition: The year when a person was born, or when a corporate body was established or came into
existence, and the year when the person dies, or the corporate body was dissolved.
Formatting Rules: Enter the full year (YYYY), or if the full date is known, enter a numeric date in the
format YYYY-MM-DD. For years BC, use negative numbers.
If the dates are uncertain, enter an estimated date, followed by C for “circa”, P for “prior to” or L for
“later than.” To be as inclusive as possible, ensure that the estimate is the earliest possible date of
birth, and the latest possible date of death. Do not make this field visible to the public, and qualify
the estimated date in the display biography with “ca.” or using a decade or century (ca. 1905, 19th
77
century, 1960s). DO NOT, however, use ca. directly in these date fields, as this will prevent accurate
searching or sorting by date.
BIRTH PLACE/DEATH PLACE
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: The noun form of place names where the person was born or died.
Formatting Rules: The name should be displayed with its broader context. Use the pop-up function to
open the Places Authority as a searchable pop-up list. Select the most specific location known, and
.use the “copy hierarchy” command to enter the place name with its broader context in the field.
DESCRIPTION
CCO Status: None
Definition: Enter a more detailed biography, focusing on such topics as the research interests and
institutional affiliations of researchers and collectors, as well as the detailed role individuals or
groups played in relation to the artifacts in the database.
Formatting Rules: The text entered into this field should form a coherent, easily understood
statement. Use complete sentences, and generic terms when possible. List information in the order
of importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations.
OCCUPATION (LIFE ROLES)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: The major professional roles played by the individual through his/her lifetime, or the major
functions or roles that define the activities or purpose of the corporate body. If a person held
multiple roles, record them all. Use the most specific term applicable.
Formatting Rules: Use the pop-up list to select the relevant terms. Record terms in natural word order,
capitalizing only proper nouns, and separating each role with a semicolon.
ROLE CHECK-BOXES
CCO Status: None
Definition: These check boxes are used to indicate the role the person or institution plays in relation to
the items in the database. These boxes are automatically filled by Mimsy when a person has been
linked to other parts of the database as a collector, donor, or maker, etc.
Formatting Rules: Do not modify these check boxes; they are automatically updated by Mimsy.
78
LINKED OBJECTS
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Used to link the person with artifacts in the database that they have studied, collected, or
otherwise interacted with. Usually links to these objects will be automatically generated during
object cataloguing; only use this field to enter links to objects that are not yet visible on the links
sidebar, and that cannot be entered through the Object Authority.
LINKED PEOPLE
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: This field can be used to link related people (such as siblings, parents and children, or
students and teachers. It can also be used to link related corporate bodies, or employees to their
workplace. Ensure to fill in the Relationship and Date flexi-fields to describe how and for how long
the people or organizations were related.
LINKED SOURCES
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Citations for resource, published or non-published, that was used as a source for names,
dates, notes, or other information in the authority record. Ensure to fill in the Relationship and
Pages, Plate/Figure, or Portion fields to describe the type of information obtained in the source, and
where in the source the information may be found.
Place Authority (GEOGRAPHIC PLACE AUTHORITY)
The Geographic Place Authority contains information about places important to the cultural objects and
creators. The places described here should include geophysical features as well as political or
administrative entities. CCO considers archaeological sites to be geographic places; however, a separate
Site Authority for archaeological sites has been created so that site data specific to archaeological study
may be catalogued in greater detail. Places in the Place Authority may be linked to sites through the
Related Sites field.
Physical features include entities that are part of the natural physical condition of the planet, including
continents, rivers, lakes, and mountains, as well as features of other planets and celestial bodies.
Administrative entities include man-made or cultural entities typically defined by political and
administrative boundaries, such as empires, nations, districts, townships, and inhabited places. Both
current and historical places should be included. Imaginary or fictional places should not be entered here
(they should be entered in the Subject Authority); however, recognized or named areas with ambiguous or
undefined borders may be included.
79
MACS uses names from the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names, with other more specific name places
added when necessary.
NAMES (PLACE)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field should include the preferred name, as well as all alternative names or variations
of the name (Enter alternative names under Alternative Place Name 1 & 2).
Formatting Rules: Enter the full place name, avoiding abbreviations. Capitalize all proper names. If a
name includes an article or preposition (des, la, l’), generally use lowercase unless it is the first word
in the name. Use English unless no common English version for the name exists. The name should
include the broader context including (when applicable) continent, nation, province or state, and city
or inhabited place. Do not invert the name; use natural word order.
PLACE TYPE
CCO Status: Required
Definition: A single word or phrase characterizing the role, function, political anatomy, size, or physical
characteristics of the place. Use the most specific type known.
Formatting Rules: Use lowercase unless the term includes a proper name. Open the pop-up list and
select the applicable term.
BROADER CONTEXT (HIERARCHY)
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Describes the whole/part relationships between the places entered in the Authority.
Formatting Rules: Generally the context should follow a basic pattern of continent, nation,
province/state/region, inhabited place/city. Include at least one level of subdivision within each
nation.
RECORD TYPE (POLITICAL NAME?/GEOGRAPHIC NAME?)
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: This field is used to distinguish between records for physical features and those for
administrative entities.
Formatting Rules: Check the box for the correct place type. Only check one box.
80
COORDINATES (UTM, LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, ELEVATION)
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Coordinates refer to an exact location on the earth’s surface at which a place may be
located. The coordinates entered here should refer to the central point within the place.
Formatting Rules: Enter the numerical coordinate, followed by the units (Eastings vs. Westings,
decimal degrees vs. degrees/minutes/seconds, and the NAD of UTM data.
NOTE/DESCRIPTION
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: A free-text descriptive note explaining pertinent information such as a brief history, the
relevance of the place within archaeological study, and distinctions between this and nearby or
related places.
Formatting Rules: The text entered into this field should form a coherent, easily understood
statement. Use complete sentences, and generic terms when possible. List information in the order
of importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations.
DATES
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Dates may include date of inhabitation, dates of use of a particular name, or the date that a
source was used to create the current entry in the Place Authority.
Formatting Rules: Enter the full year (YYYY), or if the full date is known, enter a numeric date in the
format YYYY-MM-DD. For years BC, use negative numbers.
LINKED SOURCES
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Citations for the resource, published or non-published, that was used as a source for
names, dates, notes, or other information in the authority record. Ensure to fill in the Relationship
and Pages, Plate/Figure, or Portion fields to describe the type of information obtained in the source,
and where in the source the information may be found.
81
Thesaurus (CONCEPT AUTHORITY)
The Concept Authority contains most of the terminology needed for records in the Object, Media, and
Subject authorities, excluding proper names; it defines generic concepts. A concept is defined here as a
discrete entity or idea, and not as a subject heading, which may be a compound term encompassing a
number of entities or ideas. Facets of the authority may include materials, activities, agents, styles/periods,
physical attributes, and associated concepts (For definitions of these facets, see Cataloguing Cultural
Objects Appendix 3, pp. 332-333).
This authority should not include proper names of people, organizations, geographic places, named subjects,
or named events. While CCO includes biological taxonomy as a concept, a separate Taxonomy Authority for
has been created so that species data for organic materials related to prehistoric food consumption or
artifact production may be catalogued in greater detail. Species in the Taxonomy Authority may be linked
to related concepts through the Related Terms field in the Taxonomy Authority.
MACS uses terms from the Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus for this authority.
TERMS
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field contains the word or identifying phrase used to name the concept.
Formatting Rules: Enter terms in lowercase with the exception of brand names or if the term includes
a proper noun. Use English for the preferred term, unless no English-language term exists. Enter
alternative terms in the Alternative 1 & 2 fields. Enter the singular form for the preferred term, and
also enter the plural form as an alternative term since either singular or plural may be needed for
linking to object records.
Include all alternative terms, including variant spellings, abbreviations, synonyms, and historical
vocabulary, using both the inverted and natural word order, and noun, adjectival, and gerund forms,
if applicable.
BROADER CONTEXT
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field identifies the hierarchical (taxonomic) relationships between a concept and its
parent.
Formatting Rules: Concepts may be arranged according to defined characteristics, from broader class
to specific terms. Discrete areas of the hierarchy (facets) may be devised if necessary. If appropriate,
link a concept to multiple parents if it relates to two or more broader concepts, making it
polyhierarchical (For example a “chapel” may refer to a building type, or to a building component.)
82
RECORD TYPE (GUIDE TERM?)
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: This field is used to distinguish between records for specific concepts from guide terms to
be used as organizing levels from the hierarchy.
Formatting Rules: Guide terms are usually distinguished in the hierarchy by being placed within arrow
brackets <like this>, and occupy the upper levels of the hierarchy. If the term is an organizational
term, click on the box next to Guide Term? (check mark; Y). If it refers to a concept near the end of
the hierarchy, leave the box empty (N).
NOTE/DESCRIPTION
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field describes the meaning of the concept within the context of its hierarchy in the
authority, and how the concept should be used and interpreted. Notes should be objective, specific,
prescriptive, and based on authorized sources and the intended use of the concept in the local
system.
Formatting Rules: The text entered into this field should form a coherent, easily understood
statement. Use complete sentences, and generic terms when possible. List information in the order
of importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations.
LINKED SOURCES
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Citations for the resource, published or non-published, that was used as a source for
names, dates, notes, or other information in the authority record. Ensure to fill in the Relationship
and Pages, Plate/Figure, or Portion fields to describe the type of information obtained in the source,
and where in the source the information may be found.
SUBJECT AUTHORITY
The subject authority is used to describe or explain specific, named themes, events, and higher concepts that
are relevant to the database. This authority should be reserved for iconographical terminology, including
proper names of mythological or literary characters or themes, historical events or themes, etc. For the
purposes of the archaeology collection, this includes groupings of artifact types and interpreted prehistoric
cultures. It may also include themes, fictional places, mythical characters, or other iconographic subjects
represented by or related to the artifacts in the database. Generic terms that do not require proper names
should not be included here, but entered in the Concept Authority/Thesaurus.
83
This authority should be in the form of a thesaurus to allow for equivalence and associative relationships,
with broader context hierarchy to allow for whole/part relationships to be explored. In the absence of a
hierarchical structure, a broader context display field should be included.
TERMS
CCO Status: Required
Definition: This field contains the term, appellation, or other identifying phrase used to name the
subject.
Formatting Rules: Capitalize all proper names, real or fictional. Use English for the preferred term,
unless no English-language term exists. Enter alternative terms in the Description field. Include all
alternative terms, including variant spellings, abbreviations, synonyms, and historical vocabulary,
using both the inverted and natural word order, and noun, adjectival, and gerund forms, if
applicable.
BROADER CONTEXT
CCO Status: Required if applicable
Definition: CCO recommends constructing a hierarchy to display the relationships between entries in
the Subject Authority. Our database uses the Category and Sub-category fields to create the
hierarchy, while related subjects may be linked using the Linked Subjects field.
Formatting Rules: Use the pop-up list to select terms for Category and Sub-category. Categories
currently used in the authority include “lithics” for lithic tool types and styles, “lithic industries” for
groups of lithic tool types, and “culture” for archaeological culture groups (Suggested Categories to
add to this authority in the future include geographic culture area and period designation).
RELATED KEYWORDS
CCO Status: Required if applicable
Definition: This field contains indexing keywords, names, and terms that characterize significant
general aspects of the subject. This may include roles, characters, events, and other ideas or objects
characterized by or related to the subject.
Formatting Rules: Related keywords may be linked to the subject using the Linked People, Places,
Subjects, Taxonomy, and Terms fields. Links to these fields may also be used as a “see also”
reference; ensure to define the type of reference in the Relationship flexi-field.
84
NOTE/DESCRIPTION
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: This field describes the subject and how it is portrayed by or related to the objects in the
database.
Formatting Rules: The text entered into this field should form a coherent, easily understood
statement. Use complete sentences, and generic terms when possible. List information in the order
of importance, or from general to specific. Use sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations.
LINKED SUBJECTS/PEOPLE/PLACES/TERMS
CCO Status: Recommended
Definition: Citations for the resource, published or non-published, that was used as a source for
names, dates, notes, or other information in the authority record. Ensure to fill in the Relationship
and Pages, Plate/Figure, or Portion fields to describe the type of information obtained in the source,
and where in the source the information may be found.
LINKED SOURCES
CCO Status: Required
Definition: Citations for the resource, published or non-published, that was used as a source for
names, dates, notes, or other information in the authority record. Ensure to fill in the Relationship
and Pages, Plate/Figure, or Portion fields to describe the type of information obtained in the source,
and where in the source the information may be found.
85
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX A: REFERENCE LISTS
(All references are listed in order of priority, rather than chronologically or alphabetically)
86
FORMATTING AND DATA STANDARDS
Visual Resources Association Foundation
2006 Cataloguing Cultural Objects (CCO): A Guide to Describing Cultural Works and Their Images. Edited by
Murtha Baca, Patricia Harpring, Elisa Lanzi, Linda McRae, and Ann Whiteside. American Library
Association, Chicago, Illinois. See also the VRA Foundation website, last revised 2006:
http://www.vrafoundation.org/ccoweb/index.htm
CCO guidelines should be the primary resource for all fields in this database. Refer to this
publication first, especially for formatting. Consult other references either when CCO does
not make recommendations for an archeology-specific field, or when we have chosen not to
follow CCO in order to be more relevant to prehistoric artifacts.
J. Paul Getty Trust
2000 Categories for the Description of Works of Art (CDWA). Edited by Murtha Baca and Patricia Harpring.
J. Paul Getty Trust and the College Art Association, Los Angeles, California. The Getty Website, last
revised June 2009: http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/standards/cdwa/index.html
CCO is strongly based on CDWA standards, and refers readers to this resource when it has
not made recommendations. CDWA provides excellent descriptions and examples for
different cataloguing fields and categories, complimenting CCO’s more basic descriptions.
Candian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
2002 Standards. CHIN website, last revised April 2007: http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/Standards/index.html
This section of CHIN’s website provides basic standards and references for cataloguing,
managing and sharing information, including metadata, vocabulary, cataloguing,
interchange of data, procedures, and research. Some web references are out of date.
Candian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
2002 CHIN Data Dictionary - Humanities. CHIN website, last revised February 2003:
http://daryl.chin.gc.ca:8015/Webtop/Searchapp/ws/chindd/user/wwwhe/SearchForm
This section of CHIN’s website provides a searchable reference for information on CHIN’s
recommended cataloguing fields, including field-specific labels, definitions, entry rules,
examples, and recommended references.
87
OVERALL VOCABULARY RESOURCES
J. Paul Getty Trust
1988 Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). J. Paul Getty Trust and the College Art Association, Los Angeles,
California. Getty Vocabulary Program website, vocabularies updated annually:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat
The Getty’s AAT is the most commonly referenced vocabulary resource for art and history
cataloguing. In terms of Object Name, the thesaurus mainly contains vocabulary specific to
art and historic artifact types, it is useful for more general vocabulary and also for
researching proper terminology to be used with other fields including Description, Notes,
Techniques, and Materials.
Museum Documentation Association (MDA; now known as Collections Trust)
1997 MDA Archaeological Objects Thesaurus. Available in two formats:
 Original 1997 version , available through Collections Trust:
http://www.collectionstrust.org.uk/archobj/archcon.htm
 Continually updated version, renamed the MDA Object Type Thesaurus, available through the
National Monuments Record (NMR), last revised June 2009:
http://thesaurus.englishheritage.org.uk/frequentuser.htm
Collections Trust (formerly the MDA) is the UK organization for collections standards and the
management and sharing of digital data. The Archaeological Objects Thesaurus is
recommended by CHIN for reference in the naming of archaeological materials. The NMR
webpage also contains links to a number of more specialized thesauri, including Monument
Types, Building Materials, Archaeological Sciences methods and materials, and historic
aircrafts and maritime crafts.
Oxford Reference Online Permium
2008 The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology, Second Edition. Searchable dictionary and thesaurus
available online through the University of Alberta Libraries.
CLASSIFICATION & OBJECT NAME
Darvill, Timothy
2008 The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology, Sixth Edition. Oxford University Press. Available
through Oxford Reference Online Premium (subscription through the University of Alberta) at:
http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/BOOK_SEARCH.html?book=t102
Museum Documentation Association (MDA)
1997 MDA Archaeological Objects Thesaurus, renamed the MDA Object Type Thesaurus. Available through
the National Monuments Record (NMR) website, last revised June 2009:
http://thesaurus.english-heritage.org.uk/frequentuser.htm
88
The British Museum
1999 British Museum Object Names Thesaurus. British Museum, London, United Kingdom. Available
through the Collections Trust website, last revised 1999:
http://www.collectionstrust.org.uk/bmobj/Objintro.htm
Blackaby, James R., Patricia Greeno, and The Nomenclature Committee
1988 The Revised Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging: A Revised and Expanded Edition of Robert G.
Chenhall's System for Classifying Man-Made Objects. AASLH Press, Nashville, Tenessee.
J. Paul Getty Trust
1988 Cultural Objects Name Authority (CONA). J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, California. Getty Vocabulary
Program website, planned to be released in 2011. Information on the development of this program as
of October 2009:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/contribute.html#cona
ALTERNATIVE NAMES & ARTIFACT TYPOLOGY
Albertan:
Mirau, Neil A., McMurchy, James, Stewart, Carlton R.
1999 Record in Stone: Familiar Projectile Points from Alberta. Archaeological Society of Alberta, Lethbridge,
Alberta.
American and Eastern:
Justice, Noel D.
1995 Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of Midcontinental and Eastern United States: A Modern Survey and
Reference. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana.
Northwest Coast:
Ames, Kenneth M. and Herbert D.G. Maschner
1999 Peoples of the Northwest Coast : their Archaeology and Prehistory. Thames and Hudson, New York.
European Stone Age:
Rozoy, Dr. J. G.
1968 Typologie de l’Epipaléolithique (Mésolithique) franco-belge. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique
française, Tome LXV, pp. 335-364.
Gamble, C.
1986 Appendix: The 105 upper palaeolithic type list. The Palaeolithic Settlement of Europe. (revision of
Sonneville-Bordes and Perrot’s list). Cambridge University Press, New York.
Sonneville-Bordes, D. de, Perrot, J.
1954 Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur. Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française.
51(7):327-335.
89
MATERIAL & TECHNIQUE
J. Paul Getty Trust
1988 Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). J. Paul Getty Trust and the College Art Association, Los Angeles,
California. Getty Vocabulary Program website, vocabularies updated annually:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat
Prinz, Martin, George Harlow, and Joseph Peters, editors
1978 Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Rocks and Minerals. Simon and Schuster, New York.
The British Museum
1997 British Museum Materials Thesaurus. British Museum, London, United Kingdom. Available through
the Collections Trust website, last revised 1997:
http://www.collectionstrust.org.uk/bmmat/matintro.htm
Andrefsky Jr., William (editor)
2001 Lithic Debitage. The University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Luedtke, Barbara E.
1992 An Archaeologists Guide to Chert and Flint. Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los
Angeles, California.
UofA Zooarchaeology Collection
2002 Bone Modification Terminology
STYLE & CULTURE
Encyclopædia Brittanica
2009 Native American Culture Areas. Encyclopædia Brittanica Online:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1357826/Native-American/57803/Native-Americanculture-areas
Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)
eHRAF Archaeology. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Available through the Anthropology
Databases at the University of Alberta Library (requires a CCID login):
http://guides.library.ualberta.ca/content.php?pid=52572&sid=385668
Direct Link:
http://ehrafarchaeology.yale.edu/ehrafa/
Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)
eHRAF World Cultures. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Available through the Anthropology
Databases at the University of Alberta Library (requires a CCID login):
http://guides.library.ualberta.ca/content.php?pid=52572&sid=385668
Direct Link:
http://ehrafworldcultures.yale.edu/ehrafe/
90
GEOGRAPHIC DATA
J. Paul Getty Trust
1988 Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN). J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, California. Available
through the Getty Vocabulary Program website, vocabularies updated annually:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/tgn/
Natural Resources Canada
2007 Canadian Geographical Names Data Base (CGNDB). Available through the Natural Resources Canada,
website, last revised September 2007: http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
2004 Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). US Board of Geographic Names, Reston, Virginia.
Available through the USGS website, updated quarterly:
http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/index.html
Archaeological Survey of Alberta
1973 Alberta Archaeological Site Inventory. Archaeological Survey of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Available
at Old St. Stephen's College, 8820-112th Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P8. Continuously
updated, further information available through the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit website:
http://culture.alberta.ca/heritage/resourcemanagement/default.aspx
DESCRIPTION AND MISCELLANEOUS
J. Paul Getty Trust
1988 Getty Union List of Artist Names (ULAN). J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, California. Available through
the Getty Vocabulary Program website, vocabularies updated annually:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/ulan/
Morlan, Richard C. and the Canadian Museum of Cvilization
2001 Canadian Archaeological Radiocarbon Database. Canadian Archaeological Association website, last
revised 2005: http://www.canadianarchaeology.ca/localc14/c14search.htm
This resource can be used to search Canadian archaeological sites that have been dated
through radiocarbon testing.
Reitz, Elizabeth J. Reitz and Elizabeth S. Wing
2008 Zooarchaeology (Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology), Second Edition. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, United Kingdom.
This text can be used for reference when filling in the Linked Taxonomy field.
91
APPENDIX B: NAMING RULES FOR
SPECIFIC MATERIAL TYPES
92
Sub-Category Rules For Specific Materials
Lithic Materials
The great majority of the archaeology collection is composed of lithic artifacts, including projectile
points, bifaces, scrapers, and flakes. These artifacts pose the greatest challenges for consistent naming
in the database, given the multiple different classification systems, terms, and spellings found
throughout the archaeological literature. The intent of the system outlined here is to balance the need
for consistent use of terminology to meet data quality standards, and the need to incorporate existing
variations for public interpretation of the database. To this end, it is important to:
a. Use a standardized system for assigning consistent, controlled object names to each item.
b. Use the flexi-fields for entering all relevant alternate object names for each artifact.
A standard, controlled sub-category list has been developed to use for assigning preferred subcategories. These terms are based on the following goals:




Use the simplest term possible (for example, "uniface" rather than specialized uniface type such
as "spokeshave;" and "scraper" rather than specialized type such as "push-plane"). More
specialized information can be given under the and Description fields.
Avoid Bordesian classifications, cultural associations, and projectile point typologies, which
should instead be discussed in the Description field (CCO recommendation).
Avoid foreign language terms that have English equivalents (CCO recommendation).
Do not use the terms "piece," "item," or "tool," as these terms do describe what the artifact
actually may be. Instead provide the general artifact type, such as flake, biface, shatter, or core,
and describe modifications to the artifact in the Object Name or Description fields as
appropriate.
 ONLY use the term "unidentified cultural material" when it truly cannot be determined
what the artifact is or how it was being modified for use (for example with "polished
object," try to answer the questions: why was the item being polished? what were they
creating when polishing it?). If an item is a tool, it must be specified what type of tool it is.
If it cannot be specified, how was it determined that the item was a tool as compared to a
decorative or other object?
For most lithic tool types, it will be necessary to look up the preferred, more general term from the
controlled list. After the preferred term has been entered, all relevant "alternate" terms should be
entered in the flexi-fields, to provide greater detail, easier searching, and relevant terms from local
typologies. In order to maintain clean display data, these terms should not be added to the display field,
only the flexi-fields.
93
Organic Remains
Floral & faunal materials may be divided into two types:
1. Organic tools: floral or faunal materials that have been worked to create tools.
2. Faunal remains: plant or animal materials that are unmodified or show evidence of being used
as food.
In the case of bone, antler, or other organic tools, the Sub-category field should describe the tool type,
just as would be done with lithic tools. "Bone" is simply the Material that was worked, while the
method of manufacture should be placed under Technique


As with lithics, the terms "tool"/"bone tool" should not be used. Answer the questions, what
kind of tool? What was it used for? If the use can’t be identified, can it really be classified as a
tool rather than a decorative, ceremonial, or naturally modified object?
If the original skeletal element can be identified, enter this in the Linked Taxonomy. Much
information from the Linked Taxonomy (species, element, side, modifications, etc.) would also
be relevant as part of the physical artifact description in the Description field. This includes
characteristics such as burnt or calcined bone, or epiphyseal fusion.
In the case of unmodified or other non-tool remains, "bone," "antler," "tooth," or "shell" are primary
descriptors of the type of faunal remain, and should be used as the Object Name.
 If the original skeletal element can be identified, enter this in the Linked Taxonomy. Much
information from the Linked Taxonomy (species, element, side, modifications, etc.) would also
be relevant as part of the physical artifact description in the Description field. This includes
characteristics such as burnt or calcined bone, or epiphyseal fusion.
Samples
Samples of pigment, organic, and raw lithic materials should be noted as samples, separate from actual
cultural materials. They may be divided into three types:
1. Matrix samples: Samples of soil, ash, or other matrix, generally recovered during excavation.
These may include volcanic ashes that could be used to date a site, excavation matrix found
near a hearth, or other soil samples that might be analyzed for the presence of dateable carbon,
pollen, paleoentomological remains, or other reasons.
2. Raw material samples: Samples of unmodified lithic or other inorganic materials that represent
the types of materials prehistorically used to create material goods. This may include samples
of chert, obsidian, or other lithic raw materials
3. Ochre samples: Samples of various types of red, yellow, black or brown iron oxide found in
cultural contexts such as living sites, ceremonial sites, and grave sites, used for pigments and
ceremonial purposes.
94
Ceramics
Ceramic materials may be divided into four types:
1. Unidentifiable or only vaguely identifiable sherds.
2. Whole objects or larger ceramic fragments than can be identified.
3. Appliqué pieces that were designed to be adhered to a larger vessel or object.
4. Pieces of a much larger whole such as brick, clay daubing, adobe, or ceramic from a large statue
For all ceramic items, the type of ceramic ware (stoneware, greyware, china, mica-tempered) and
decorative techniques (monochrome/polychrome, fired/unfired, punctate, glazed, excised) should be
included in Materials and Technique. The form of a figurine (zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, Venus,
mammiform) should be included in the Object Name and Description.
1. The majority of the ceramic items in this collection consist of a specialized type of fragment, the
"sherd." It should be used only when the original artifact (bowl, plate, vase, etc) cannot be identified
due to the fragmentary nature of the sherd.
2. As with lithic tools, whole artifacts or identifiable fragments should be given the name of the whole
artifact, such as "bowl," "statuette," or "vase," with the portion (rim, base, body, neck, etc.) entered
into the Portion field. Descriptors that might aid in classification, such as polychrome versus
monochrome, anthropomorphic or zoomorphic, may be added in the Object name field, as well as
the terms for specific items such as Venus figurines.
3. Because it cannot always be determined whether an appliqué piece has been formed but not yet
adhered to a larger object, or whether it has since fallen off as a fragment, appliqué pieces are given
their own category for this collection. Decorative appliqué pieces will have an embellished face and
one that has been scored or roughened to facilitate application. Less commonly, appliqués may also
include utilitarian pieces such as handles for vessels.
4. Exceptions to the above rules involve fragments of a larger whole that could not itself be collected.
For example, the entirety of most construction materials or decorative fragments from large items
at archaeological sites cannot be collected and accessioned; furthermore these types of items do
not have precise artifact names, and can only be identified by their specific construction type. For
example, a fragment of an adobe wall would be named an "adobe fragment," and piece of brick
collected from an historic building excavation would be named a "brick fragment."
95
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C: PREFERRED SUBCATEGORY LIST
96
Preferred Alternate
Name
Names
adobe
fragment
bowl
brick
brick
fragment
daub
handle
kettle
Category
ceramic
A decorative figure or motif made separately, usually in a mould,
and applied or fixed to the surface of a vessel or other larger
surface, usually before slip‐coating and fitting.
ceramic
A neckless metal, wooden, or ceramic vessel, which can be
defined as having a height more than one‐third of, but not
greater than, its diameter.
ceramic
Rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a
building or paving material.
ceramic
applique
cement
fragment
cup
Definition
Sun‐dried, unfired, clay bricks used as a building material,
typically in the American Southwest.
Fragment of large building brick material.
mortar
fragment
(in some
cases)
ceramic
Building material that is a powder made of a mixture of calcined
limestone and clay; used with water and sand or gravel to make
concrete and mortar.
ceramic
ceramic
Clay variously admixed with straw or dung and worked to a
smooth consistency that is then used as a wall‐covering or to
make ovens and domestic fixtures.
ceramic
Use for unattached handles. For fragments enter "handle" under
the Portion field.
ceramic
ceramic
pipe
Small solid clay protuberance integral with the wall of a pot to aid
handling. Use only for lugs that have not yet been attached, for
fragments enter "lug" under the Portion field.
ceramic
Paste used to bind blocks in masonry, found in the gaps between
the bricks.
ceramic
Ceramic holder for use in smoking tobacco. The main elements
are the bowl and a connecting tube through which smoke can be
drawn into the mouth.
ceramic
plate
A shallow vessel whose height is not greater than one‐seventh of its
ceramic
diameter.
sherd
stucco
fragment
Use for broken pottery fragments that cannot be identified.
Decorative plasterwork, especially used to create interior
architectural elements.
lug
mortar
sample
vessel
bead
ceramic
ceramic
Pot, vase, amphora, or other large open-top container used in
many cultures to serve or store food; also used for drinking and
storing other items. For this catalogue, use "vessel" for
prehistoric ceramics when the exact nature of usage (cooking pot
vs. container vs. serving bowl) cannot be identified.
ceramic
decorative/cere
monial
97
Floral or faunal materials that have been deliberately bundled by
humans, including tied, dried, or wrapped plant remains,
decorative/cere
bundle
medicine bundles, or other collections of material.
monial
candlehold
decorative/cere
er
candelero
monial
ceremonial
decorative/cere
copper
monial
decorative/cere
cordage
monial
drilled
Any non-utilitarian organic or lithic object with a hole drilled
decorative/cere
object
partly or all the way through it.
monial
decorative/cere
eccentric
monial
The result of incising lines or images onto lithic or organic
decorative/cere
etching
surfaces.
monial
A small model or representation of a human, animal, or other
physical being in the natural or spiritual world. Usually carved or
molded of clay, stone, wood, or metal, their purpose generally
seems to be decorative, ceremonial, or devotional. Includes
effigies, Venus figurines, statuettes, and other specialized figurine decorative/cere
figurine
types.
monial
decorative/cere
hairpin
monial
decorative/cere
helmet
monial
helmet
decorative/cere
mask
monial
Husks that have been deliberately knotted (during human
decorative/cere
husk knot
activity).
monial
incense
decorative/cere
burner
candelero
monial
Most references, especially on the Northwest Coast, use labret as
the preferred term with lip plug given as a second term in
decorative/cere
labret
lip plug
brackets.
monial
decorative/cere
mask
monial
decorative/cere
nose ring
monial
decorative/cere
parchment
monial
decorative/cere
pendant
monial
Marks made by carving, incising, engraving, pecking, or grinding decorative/cere
petroglyph
the rock surface.
monial
Marks made by painting organic and mineral pigments onto the decorative/cere
pictograph
surface.
monial
decorative/cere
ring
monial
98
decorative/cere
monial
decorative/cere
monial
thread
whistle
antler
bone
chitin
cob
conifer
needle
coral
dermal
ossicle
eggshell
Antlers grow annually from the pedicles of the frontal bone. They
are often pronged and are shed annually after the mating season. floral/faunal
Use for all unmodified animal bone material, including such
unique bones as the ossicles.
floral/faunal
A tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal
component of the exoskeletons of arthropods.
floral/faunal
floral/faunal
Needles from coniferous trees. "Conifer" is included in this name
to distinguish plant material from culturally created tools.
floral/faunal
Use to describe the calcium carbonate "skeleton" produced by
coral. Since the coral organism itself is not found on land or
preserved archaeologically, and the calyx is commonly referred to
simply as "coral" while "calyx" is reletively unknown, coral has
coral calyx been selected as the preferred term.
floral/faunal
Small rounded dermal bones often found loose (unarticulated)
within the dermis, often in conjunction with osteoderms (scutes)
or other bony spines.
floral/faunal
floral/faunal
horn
hoof
A horn is properly composed of both a bone "horn core" and
keratin sheath which grow from the frontal bones throughout the
life of a horned animal. Horns are not branched. Catalogue a
horn core alone as "bone" with horn core specefied under
Element; catalogue the keratin portion or a whole horn as "horn." floral/faunal
The keratinous tip of an ungulate limb.
floral/faunal
husk
Use for unmodified plant husks. If modified or tied into bundles,
use "bundle" or "husk knot," whichever is most applicable.
floral/faunal
modified
antler
To be used when a piece of antler shows evidence of human
modification. This might include unidentifiable types of
modification for tool use. If a specific tool type con be identified,
use the name of the tool type instead.
floral/faunal
modified
bone
To be used when a piece of bone shows evidence of human
modification. This might include unidentifiable types of
modification for tool use, or modification for food. If a specific
tool type can be identified, use the name of the tool type instead. floral/faunal
scute (in
Dermal bones formed in the skin of animals such as crocodiles
osteoderm most cases) and fish or attaching to the skeletons of animals such as turtles.
floral/faunal
99
otolith
A calcified structure used as part of the balance system in bony
fishes. The mineral structure changes over time and annual
banding can be seen in the otolith allowing scientists to estimate
the age of a fish.
floral/faunal
quid
A piece of plant material such as tobacco that has been chewed. floral/faunal
scale
seed
seed pod
shell
tooth
bolt
bottle
bowl
bracket
brick
brooch
bucket
button
can
cosmetic
bottle
cup
dagger
flintlock
gun flint
horse shoe
jar
kettle
nail
pad
pipe
plate
washer
window
glass
bifacial
core
One of the many small platelike dermal or epidermal structures
that characteristically form the external covering of fishes,
reptiles, and certain mammals.
floral/faunal
floral/faunal
The protective enclosure, shell, or fused case surrounding a seed
in fruiting plants. Legumes, for example, exhibit a long, thin seed
pod containing numerous seeds.
floral/faunal
floral/faunal
floral/faunal
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
historic
lithic core
100
bipolar
core
Core resulting from the technique whereby a core is placed on an
anvil and a flake is detached by striking it with a third implement.
The core typically exhibits crushing at both ends, collapsed
platforms, and long flake scars with heavy fracture ripples.
lithic core
blade core
Flint or stone core from which blades have been struck. Such
cores are typically conical or pyramidal in shape; to produce
regular even blades a certain degree of preparation is needed as
well as periodic rejuvenation. Both these activities produce their
own distinctive debitage.
lithic core
core
Piece of stone which a stone‐knapper works so as to produce
flakes, blades, or core tools; use only for imformal cores or small
fragments where a more specific core type cannot be identified. lithic core
platform
core tablet tablet
Specialzed core rejuvenation flake from a microcore platform.
lithic core
Specialized prepared core typical of flintworking in the Levallois
technique where the aim is to produce large oval flakes with a
sharp edge all round. This results in a core that has one flattish
face and a low domed back that, overall, resembles a tortoise.
Used when the object can be specifically linked to the
Middle/Upper Palaeolithic in Europe.
lithic core
Similar to blade cores but much smaller, generally less than 10 cm
in any dimension.
lithic core
Levallois
core
microcore
test core
Roughly rectangular block of flint prepared for the effective
removal of long narrow blades by creating a striking platform at
either end so that blades could be removed in alternate
directions. [May refer to blade or microblade technology;
indicate the difference in the Title and Description fields].
lithic core
Core that has been reduced only superficially and show evidence
of irregular fracture lines or flaws such as crumbling of the
material; these cores are assumed to be the result of early stages
of reduction and to have been abandoned due to flaws in the raw
material.
lithic core
tortoise
core
Specialized prepared core typical of flintworking in the Levallois
technique where the aim is to produce large oval flakes with a
sharp edge all round. This results in a core that has one flattish
face and a low domed back that, overall, resembles a tortoise.
Use this term only when the object is not from the Middle/Upper
Palaeolithic in Europe.
lithic core
prismatic
core
bipolar
flake
burin spall
piece
esquilee
Flake characterized by a double bulb of percussion, one at each of
its ends or, more often on quartz flakes, by crushing at each end. lithic debitage
Long, thin and small but robust flake removed from an artifact
through a burin blow; typically displays heavy flaking ripples, a
thick bulb of percussion, and a hinged termination.
lithic debitage
101
channel
flake
Large, long flake removed from the base of a biface or projectile
point to create a fluted artifact.
lithic debitage
core
reduction
flake
large flakes struck off a core during core shaping and reduction
for the purpose of creating flake tools or blades. Generally large
with a low curvature, wide platform angle, less than three dorsal
flake scars, and less than three platform scars
lithic debitage
decorticati primary
on flake
flake
flake
Levallois
flake
Large, thick flakes struck off a nodule when removing the cortex
and preparing it for working. Distinguished by low or no platform
scars, and the presence of cortex on the dorsal surface.
lithic debitage
Piece of flint struck from a core which characteristically shows
traces of the processes of removal: concentric fracture ripples
and a bulb of percussion.
lithic debitage
Flake produced through the Levallios technique.
lithic debitage
retouching
flake
Tiny, extremely thin flakes pinched or pushed off a piece to finish
it, to fine‐shape part of the surface, sharpen it, or resharpen it.
May exhibit evidence of previous use-wear on the platforms and
dorsal surface.
lithic debitage
shatter
spall
Lithic debitage, often angular or blocky, produced as a byproduct
during flake removal, especially during hard-hammer percission
flaking. This debitage exhibits no evidence of flake characteristics
such as percussion ripples, platform, or bulb of percussion.
lithic debitage
A chip, flake, or fragment from a piece of stone.
lithic debitage
thermal
spall
Spalls naturally removed from lithics due to thermal fracture: a
break line or crack caused by excessive heating or cooling. Frost
can penetrate cracks and prise off a flake or ‘pot‐lid’. Frost
fractures are flattish with minute cracks and a pitted surface.
When flint is exposed to fire it will usually shatter, with fragments
detaching themselves from the surface. These fragments have no
evidence of flake characteristics.
lithic debitage
thinning
flake
bifacial
reduction
flake,
secondary
flake
trimming
flake
tertiary
flake
Large flakes struck off a bifacial core or core tool to reduce its size
or thickness. Generally long and curved, with acute platform
angles, and often (but not always) two or more dorsal flake scars,
and two or more platform scars.
lithic debitage
Small flakes struck off when shaping the detail of a piece to make
a specific tool. Small, thin, high platform scar and dorsal scar
counts.
lithic debitage
abrader
Type of grinding stone used for the shaping, smoothing,
sharpening, or polishing of stone, bone, and antler tools.
adze
Used for wood-working as a chisel-type implement. Hafted so
that the bit is perpendicular to the handle (similar to a gardening
hoe). Although usually made through the ground-stone
technique, adzes may also be flintknapped.
lithic tool
lithic tool
102
atlatl
weight
Ground and polished flattish stone object with a single
longitudinal perforation commonly found in the American
bannerston midwest and east. Interpreted to be either an atlatl weight or a
e
ceremonial artefact.
lithic tool
awl
percoir,
borer, bec, Tool with a strong sharp point used for making holes in such
perforator materials as leather, wood, or cloth.
lithic tool
axe
Stone tools hafted so that the bit is parallel to the handle. Do not
describe "hand-axes" here; those are more properly bifaces.
lithic tool
biface
General term referring to a stone core tool that is usually pointed
at one end and flaked on both flat faces until thin and sharp‐
edged. Believed to be multi‐purpose tools for chopping, carcase
dismemberment, and cutting.
lithic tool
hand-axe
(in some
cases)
biface
blank
A very early stage biface which exhibits a wide cross section,
rudimentary flaking, and a lack of retouch or thinning flake scars. lithic tool
blade
The term preform has generally come to refers to any unfinished
biface; correctly, however, it refers to a biface that has been both
thinned and shaped into its intended form, but that has not yet
been finished through final shaping of the base and sharpening of
the edges. It will lack any evidence of utilization or retouch.
lithic tool
A long narrow stone flake struck or pressure flaked from a
specially prepared core. A blade must be at least twice as long as
macroblade it is wide.
lithic tool
burin
Tool of flint or stone with a transverse (chisel) edge formed on a
flake scar made by the removal of a burin spall. Used for working
bone, antler, and ivory, and perhaps for engraving. Use "burin"
only to describe those engraving tools that are formed by
burination, if not use "graver".
lithic tool
biface
preform
graver
chisel
Ground-stone axe that is not grooved for hafting (kind of a
ground-stone "hand-axe"). Not to be confused with the obsolete
history definition of the term to refer to any heavy hafted axe.
lithic tool
A type of tool made of stone or, more usually, metal with a
shaped narrow blade that can be used carefully to remove thin
strips or shavings of wood when fashioning a joint or shaping a
block.
lithic tool
chopper
club
Stone tool with a [single] working edge formed by flakes removed
from two directions. Mainly confined to Lower Palaeolithic
industries, but also found in later periods.
lithic tool
lithic tool
cobble tool
A cobble that has been modified into a tool. [see cobble]
celt
lithic tool
103
denticulate
discoid
drill
Flint or stone tool with one edge worked into a series of notches
to give a toothed or serrated cutting blade.
lithic tool
Roughly circular tools with a peripheral edge.
lithic tool
lithic tool
engraving
tool
A lithic object that appears to have been used for engraving but
cannot be narrowed down to a burin or graver.
lithic tool
eolith
fishing
hook
Chipped flint nodule, possibly but not necessarily cultural.
lithic tool
flaked
implement
gouge
chisel
A flaked lithic object that appears to have been used as a tool.
Only use if a more specific term cannot be found.
lithic tool
Pointed tool of flint or stone with a transverse (chisel) edge
formed through flaking or on a broken edge of the tool. Used for
working bone, antler, and ivory, and perhaps for engraving. Use
"graver" only to describe those engraving tools that are not
formed by burination; tools formed by burination are "burins." lithic tool
graver
grinding
stone
grooved
cobble
grooved
pebble
groundstone
cobble
hammersto
ne
lithic tool
lithic tool
milling
stone,
metate,
mortar,
palette,
grinding
slab
Base or lower grinding stone of a two‐part mill for preparing plant
food.
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
A cobble or other piece of lithic material may be described as a
hammerstone (tool used during flintknapping to remove flakes
form a core by hard-hammer percussion) when there is evidence
of a concentration of pitting and scarring on one or more areas of
its surface.
lithic tool
Type of grinding stone used in the hand, often in conjunction with
mano, and a smooth metate. Used for grinding vegetable material such as
in some
maize, seeds, nuts, and pigments, the mano dates to the Archaic
handstone cases pestle Indian period.
lithic tool
hoe
hoe blade
lithic tool
knife
lithic tool
mace
lithic tool
104
maul
A hammerstone usually used for woodworking. Mauls have been
modified (as compared to a simple hammerstones) such that they
are either shaped to provide a handle, or grooved for hafting.
lithic tool
bladelet,
prismatic
microblade flake
Small, thin blade, generally less than 1 cm in width and at least
twice as long as it is wide. Microblades are created from
specialized, intentionally-shaped cores called microcores.
lithic tool
microlith
Very small implement... between 10 mm and 50 mm long and
shaped into either a point or a barb. Early examples (mainly
dating to the 7th and 6th millennia BC) tend to be obliquely
blunted points, while later examples (mainly 6th and 5th
millennia BC) include small scalene triangles, geometric forms,
rods, trapezoids, and crescents. They were mostly used in
composite tools such as harpoons, arrows, or knives.
lithic tool
notch
Palaeolithic lithic tool with one or more notches excavated to
create concave cutting edges.
lithic tool
notched
tool
pick
polisher
preform
pressure
flaker
Tool with one or more notches excavated, presumably to assist
with hafting.
Long narrow core tool, sometimes slightly curved in profile,
truncated at one end and pointed at the other.
Lithic object that is in the basic form of a stone tool, but is
rougher, unfinished, and unused. Common preforms include
unfinished projectile points.
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
crested
blade, lame
à crête, ski- Long, thin flake with a bifacial ridge running down the centre of
primary
spall, blade the dorsal surface. This is the first flake removed to begin
ridge flake flake
shaping the fluted face of a microcore.
lithic tool
Sharp tip, pointed at one end and meant to be attached (hafted)
to the end of a spear, dart, arrow shaft or handle, or other
projectile
"projectile" weapon meant to be thrown/shot away from the
point
arrowhead user.
lithic tool
retouched
retouched macroblade
blade
, blade tool
retouched
burin spall
retouched
flake
lithic tool
lithic tool
A lithic flake which has had one or more edges modified by
deliberate flake removal.
lithic tool
105
retouched
bladelet,
retouched
retouched prismatic
microblade flake
lithic tool
scraper
Distinctive stone tool comprising a roughly round or horseshoe‐
shaped flake which has been shaped deliberately with an extreme
oblique angle to provide a working edge around some or all of the
circumference.
lithic tool
scraperburin
Common "combination" tool that consists of at least one scraper
edge, and at least one burinated working edge.
lithic tool
secondary
ridge flake
spear
Long, thin flake with remnants of a bifacial ridge on one side of
the dorsal surface, and one or more long thin flake scars on the
remaining surface. One or more secondary ridge flakes are
removed to shape the fluted face of a microcore.
Use only to refer to a whole spear.
Chipped spherical missiles either thrown or slung, or possibly
used as a form of bolas.
spheroid
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
worked
split cobble cobble
lithic tool
split pebble
lithic tool
Unfinished biface that has been roughly shaped, and exhibits
thinning scars used to reduce the bulk of the cross section of the
artifact.
lithic tool
Artifact that has been flaked on only one face.
lithic tool
thinned
biface
uniface
utilized
blade
utilized
macroblade
, blade tool
utilized
burin spall
utilized
flake
utilized
bladelet,
utilized
utilized
prismatic
microblade flake
lithic tool
lithic tool
A lithic flake without deliberate retouch, but exhibiting use-wear
indicating it was used as a tool.
lithic tool
lithic tool
utilized
piece
A lithic implement that is utilized, but cannot be further assigned
to any known tool. Only use when a more specific term cannot be
found.
lithic tool
weight
Piece of lithic material showing used as a weight, most commonly
for fishing line or netting. Artifacts should show some evidence
of modification for attachment to line, netting or other materials. lithic tool
106
woodworki
ng tool
A lithic tool used for modifying wood.
To be used when a cobble shows evidence of flaking or other
human modification or utilization, but it cannot be identified
specifically as a core, ground-stone cobble, maul, or
hammerstone. [See cobble]
worked
cobble
worked
cobble
worked
pebble
worked
To be used when a pebble shows evidence of flaking or other
pebble,
human modification or utilization, but it cannot be identified
pebble tool specifically as a core or ground-stone pebble. [See pebble]
arrow shaft
atlatl
atlatl dart
awl
basket
billet
bone tube
club
comb
core
digging
stick
flake
flesher
foreshaft
harpoon
needle
needle
blank
lithic tool
lithic tool
lithic tool
organic tool
spearthrower,
throwing
stick
Device that increases the power with which a spear can be
hurled. Most consist of a stick or narrow board with a grip at one
end and a hook or attachment to hold the butt of the spear shaft
at the other. The spear‐thrower thus becomes an artificial
extension of the thrower's arm, giving extra leverage and range. organic tool
Item thrown using an atlatl, a sharpened dart of wood that was
sometimes tipped with a stone or bone point.
organic tool
Tool with a strong sharp point used for making holes in such
materials as leather, wood, or cloth.
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
Tool blank or other item made from the hollow diaphysis of a bird
bone.
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
With faunal remains, use only if there is existence of evidence of
intentional flaking, such as patterned removal of flakes or shaping
bone core of the "core." Otherwise it is simply a bone fragment.
organic tool
A straight stick, the end of which is often hardened by charring,
which can be used to lever and dig out edible roots and plants or to
organic tool
break up the earth prior to planting.
With faunal remains, use only if there is existence of evidence of
flake characteristics such as a bulb or percussion, platform, or
bone flake pressure ripples. Otherwise it is simply a bone fragment.
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
A type of spear adapted for hunting fish, seals, whales, etc., which
features prominent barbs to prevent the point of
the harpoon being dislodged, and also a line for retrieving the
prey.
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
107
needle core
netting
organic tool
organic tool
arrow
shaft
straightene
smoother r
spear
Use only to refer to a whole spear.
organic tool
organic tool
spear shaft
spindle
whorl
spoon
stamp
harpoon
point
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
organic tool
If identifiable, use "tanged" or "toggling" to describe the type of organic tool OR
harpoon point.
lithic tool
toggling
harpoon
male
harpoon
point,
barbed
harpoon
point (in
Single-piece harpoon point with a tang to fit in a socket for
most cases) hafting. Most will have bilateral or unilateral barbs.
female
Harpoon tip created from two valve pieces surrounding a point,
harpoon, bound together so that the point will detach from the shaft and
composite twist sideways in the prey's body, preventing it from slipping
harpoon
loose.
toggling
harpoon
point
toggling
harpoon
valve
female
harpoon
point,
harpoon
bipoint (in
some
cases),
harpoon
organic tool OR
end-blade
lithic tool
female
Used to hold the point of a toggling harpoon; has a socket at one
harpoon
end to form a female haft, and a socket or slot at the other to
valve
hold the point.
organic tool
tanged
harpoon
point
wedge
coprolite
organic tool OR
lithic tool
organic tool OR
lithic tool
Tool with parallel sides and tapering faces that meet as a straight
blade at the thin end while the thicker end has a flat striking
platform for direct percussion with a hammer or mallet.
organic tool
materials/sample
Fossilized droppings or excreta (i.e. a fossilized faecal pellet).
s
108
cobble
Medium to large‐sized particles of more than 64 mm and less
than 256 mm across forming constituent components of gravel,
including both natural and anthropogenic gravel. One of the
principal size divisions of gravel which in ascending scale
comprise: granular, pebble, cobble, and boulder gravel.
materials/sample
s
matrix
sample
ash sample
(in some Samples of soil, ash, or other matrix, generally recovered during materials/sample
cases)
excavation.
s
naturally
modified
material
geofact,
eolith (in A piece of material (usually lithic) that has been naturally
some
modified, often with the appearance of intentional cultural
cases),
modification. May have flake scars due to natural percussion
ventifact (in through rock slides or ice movement, wind burninshing similar to materials/sample
some cases) use-polish, or other characteristics.
s
ochre
sample
pebble
raw
material
sample
various
subcategories
Sample of red, yellow, brown or sometimes black pigment
material. Ochres are naturally occurring soft iron oxide that were
used for cave art, decorating pottery, and probably ceremonially materials/sample
and for colouring parts of the human body.
s
(1) A small rounded block of stone that has usually been
smoothed and shaped by water action; (2) A size subdivision of
sediment components which ranges between 4 mm and 64 mm materials/sample
in diameter on the Wentworth–Udden System.
s
Samples of unmodified lithic or other inorganic materials that
represent the types of materials prehistorically used to create
materials/sample
material goods.
s
To be used only for parent LOT records when the child records
represent more than one sub-category. Usually, this sub-category
is used in conjunction with "various categories" in the category various
field.
categories
109
APPENDIX D: CULTURE TERM LISTS
110
Geographic Culture Area
Notes: the concept of the Geographic Culture Area is most relevant to the study of North American
archaeology, and is related to anthropological language groupings and associated ecoregions. These are
strongly established in the literature and a map could be provided for cataloguers. Other continents are
more flexible depending on the era of study.
Archaeology in Europe tends to focus on state-societies in the Holocene, while all of Europe composes a
single general culture area in the Palaeolithic.
North America
Arctic
Subarctic
Northwest Coast
Columbia Plateau
Great Basin
Southwest
California
Great Plains
Great Lakes
Eastern Woodlands
Northeastern Woodlands
Southeastern Woodlands
Mesoamerica
Caribbean
South America
Andes
Western Amazon
Central Amazon
Eastern and Southern Amazon
Gran Chaco
Southern Cone
Africa
Northern Africa
Western Africa
Eastern Africa
Central and Southern Africa
Madagascar
111
Europe
Europe
Britain
Scandinavia
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Mediterranean
Asia
Central Asia
Eastern Asia
Northern Asia/Siberia
Southern Asia
Southeastern Asia
Oceania
Australia
Melanesia
Micronesia
Polynesia
112
Geographic Culture Areas of North America
113
Period Designation
North America
Arctic/Subarctic:
Prehistoric (13 000 – 600 BP)
Early Prehistoric (Palaeoindian) (13 000 – 8000 BP)
American Palaeo-Arctic (11000 – 7000 BP)
Middle Prehistoric (8000 – 2000 BP)
Northern Archaic (9000 – 6000 BP)
Late Prehistoric (3000 – 600 BP)
Palaeoeskimo/Dorset (2200 – 1500 BP)
Thule/Inuit(1600 BP – 200 BP)
Protohistoric (Contact Period) (300 – 200 BP)
Historic (200 BP - present)
Northwest Coast:
Prehistoric (13 000 – 600 BP)
Early Prehistoric (Palaeoindian) (13 000 – 8000 BP)
American Palaeo-Arctic (11000 – 7000 BP)
Middle Prehistoric (Archaic) (8500 – 6400 BP)
Early Archaic
Middle Archaic
Late Archaic
Late Prehistoric (Pacific) (6400 – 250 BP)
Early Pacific (6400 – 3800 BP)
Middle Pacific (3800 – 1700 BP)
Late Pacific (1700 – 200 BP)
Protohistoric (Contact Period) (250 – 200 BP)
Historic (200 BP - present)
Eastern Woodlands:
Prehistoric (13 000 – 600 BP)
Early Prehistoric (Palaeoindian) (13 000 – 8000 BP)
Archaic (5000 – 3000 BP)
Early Archaic
Middle Archaic
Late Archaic
Late Prehistoric (3000 – 600 BP)
Woodland (3000 – 1000 BP)
Early Woodland (3000 – 2000 BP)
Middle Woodland (2000 – 1500 BP)
114
Late Woodland (1500 – 1000 BP)
Mississippian (1000 BP – 400 BP)
Protohistoric (Contact Period) (500 – 400 BP)
Historic (400 BP - present)
Southwest:
Prehistoric (13 000 – 600 BP)
Early Prehistoric (Palaeoindian) (13 000 – 8000 BP)
Archaic (5000 – 3000 BP)
Early Archaic
Middle Archaic
Late Archaic
Late Prehistoric (3000 – 600 BP)
Basketmaker (3200 – 1250 BP)
Pueblo (1250 BP – contact)
Late Pueblo (700– 400 BP)
Protohistoric (Contact Period) (600 – 400 BP)
Historic (450 - present)
Mesoamerica
Prehistoric (10 500 – 600 BP)
Early Prehistoric (Palaeoindian) (10 500 – 8000 BP)
Archaic (8000-2000 BP)
Formative (Preclassic) (4000 – 2000 BP)
Early Formative (4000 – 3000 BP)
Late Formative (3000 – 2400 BP)
Middle Formative (2400 – 2000 BP)
Classic (Fluorescent) (2000 – 1000 BP)
Early Classic (2000 – 1400 BP)
Late Classic (1400 – 1200 BP)
Terminal Classic (1200 – 1000 BP)
Middle Polychrome (1300-700 BP)
Postclassic (1000 – 400 BP)
Protohistoric (Contact Period) (600 – 400 BP)
Historic (500 BP – present)
Africa
Palaeolithic (2.6 my – 10 000 BP)
Early Stone Age (2.6 BP – 200 000 BP)
Middle Stone Age (200 000 – 30 000 BP)
115
Late Stone Age (40 000 – 10 000 BP)
Mesolithic (10 000 – 6000 BP)
Neolithic (8000 – 3000 BP)
Pre-Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 1 & 2)
Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 3)
Bronze Age (5300 – 3200 BP)
Iron Age (3500 – 1000 BP)
Egypt:
Predynastic Period (5464 - 3414 BCE)
Archaic Period (3414 - 3100 BCE)
Old Kingdom (3100 - 2181 BCE)
Intermediate Period I (2181 - 2125 BCE)
Middle Kingdom (2125 - 1650 BCE)
Intermediate Period II (1650 - 1550 BCE)
New Kingdom (1550 - 1069 BCE)
Late Period I (1069 - 517 BCE)
Persian Period I (517 - 425 BCE)
Late Period II (425 - 342 BCE)
Persian Period II (342 - 332 BCE)
Greek Dynasty (332 - 30 BCE)
Europe
Palaeolithic (2.6 my – 10 000 BP)
Lower Palaeolithic (Early Stone Age) (2.6 BP – 100 000 BP)
Middle Palaeolithic (Middle Stone Age) (300 000 – 50 000 BP)
Upper Paleolithic (Late Stone Age) (50 000 – 10 000 BP)
Mesolithic (10 000 – 6000 BP)
Neolithic (9000 – 3000 BP depending on region)
Pre-Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 1 & 2)
Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 3)
Bronze Age (4300 – 2500 BP)
Iron Age (3200 – 1600 BP)
Early Iron Age (3200 – 3000 BP)
Roman (2500 – 1600 BP)
Late Roman
Medieval (1500 – 500 BP)
Early Medieval (1500 – 1000 BP)
High Medieval/Feudal (1000 – 700 BP)
Late Medieval (700 – 500 BP)
Early Modern/Renaissance (500 – 200 BP)
116
Industrial/Historic/Contemporary (200 BP – Present)
Asia
Palaeolithic (2.6 my – 10 000 BP)
Lower Palaeolithic (2.6 BP – 100 000 BP)
Middle Palaeolithic (300 000 – 50 000 BP)
Upper Paleolithic (50 000 – 10 000 BP)
Neolithic (10 000 – 3000 BP)
Pre-Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 1 & 2)
Pottery Neolithic (Neolithic 3)
Ancient Era
Xia Dynasty (2100–1600 BCE)
Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE)
Zhou Dynasty (1045–256 BCE)
Spring and Autumn (722 – 481 BP)
Warring States (476 – 221 BP)
Imperial Era (2200 – 100 BP)
Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)
Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)
Wei and Jin Period (220–420 CE)
Wu Hu Period
Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589 CE)
Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE)
Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 CE)
Song Dynasty and Liao, Jin, Western Xia (960–1279 CE)
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE)
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE)
Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 CE)
Modern (100 BP – Present)
117