CHIN-CCO YCW Data Standard Validation
Archeology Collection Data Dictionary May 2008
Items in Blue or Blue Highlight need attention for mapping and upload to Artefacts
Canada. This document contains only those Fields related to the Artefacts Canada
Project and are also in Artefacts Canada order. After this project is complete this DD
needs to be reintegrated with our complete Data Dictionary.
INSTITUTION FIELDS
Field Label: INSTITUTION NAME
Mimsy Name:
Pop-Up List Name:
Field Mnemonic: INS
Source: CHIN, Archaeology (Specimens) Task Force; History Task Force; Ethnology
Task Force; Fine and Decorative Arts Task Force.
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field contains the full name of the institution responsible for the
creation and maintenance of the document. Ownership of the object cannot necessarily be
assumed.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada (AC). Enter the full name of the institution. Capitalize proper names.
Avoid abbreviations, except abbreviations that are part of the institution’s official name.
Use the name in the language of the catalogue record if warranted by authoritative
sources. Use diacritics as appropriate. Do not invert the name.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string.
Examples:
Archaeology Teaching Collection, University of Alberta
New Brunswick Museum
Musée Nouveau-Brunswick
Nova Scotia Museum
Royal Alberta Museum
Musée du Québec
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text:
Field Label: INSTITUTION CITY / TOWN / MUNICIPALITY
Mimsy Name:
Pop-Up List Name:
Field Mnemonic: INSCTY
Source: NDB, CHIN, Archaeology (specimens) extra Task Force
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
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Field Definition: This field contains the full name of the city, town or municipality in
which the institution is located.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada. Enter the city name in full. Capitalize proper names. If the preferred
name includes an article or preposition (such as la or l’), use lowercase. If the article or
preposition is the first element in the name, however, spell it with an initial capital letter.
Avoid abbreviations. Record the name in the language of the catalogue record. Use
diacritics as appropriate. Do not invert the name.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
Edmonton
Red Deer
Toronto
Ottawa
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text:
Field Label: INSTITUTION PROVINCE / TERRITORY / STATE
Mimsy Name:
Pop-Up List Name:
Field Mnemonic: INSPR
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field contains the full name of the city, town or municipality in
which the institution is located.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada. Enter the name of the province in full. Capitalize proper names. Avoid
abbreviations. Record the province name in the language of the catalogue record. Use
diacritics as appropriate. Do not invert the name.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
Alberta
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
California
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text:
REGISTRATION FIELDS
Field Label: MUSEUM COLLECTOR
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.COLLECTOR
Pop-Up List Name: PEOPLE <COLLECTOR>
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Field Mnemonic: MCOL
Source: CHIN
Status: To be added to AC.
Field Definition: This field contains the names of the collectors of the specimen.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list (F9) to enter the name of the collector, intermediary, or
excavator. If entering more than one name, select the names one at a time. They will
automatically be separated by a semi-colon. Enter names of individuals, from senior to
junior or alphabetically, in the following format: surname, given name(s) or initial(s).
Honorific titles or other information that ordinarily precede the name, should be entered
after the given name or initials, and separated from them by a comma. Other descriptive
information may be appended within parentheses. Initials should be followed by periods.
Commas and periods should be followed by a space unless they are followed by other
punctuation.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
Schwab; Ami, H. M., Dr.
Gruhn, R., Dr.
Geology Department, University of Alberta
Corner, F.
Roy, C. A. (M.Sc.)
Rationale:
Lever Tile: The name(s) entered will be linked under the lever field. All names will
automatically be linked as ‘collector’. Use the pop-up list in the “relationship” sub-field
to change the status if necessary.
Online Hint Text: Enter the name(s) of the collector, intermediary, excavator, and/or
surveyor. *
IDENTIFICATION FIELDS
Field Label: DISCIPLINE
Mimsy Name:
Pop-Up List Name:
Field Mnemonic: DSC
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field names the discipline or branch of learning under which the
object may fall.
Entry Rules: This field is automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada. Please use the document “Discipline Authority List proposed for the
Humanities (2006) Derived from the Art & Architecture Thesaurus” to enter the name of
the discipline under which the object falls. A semicolon and a space should separate
multiple entries.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
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archaeology
agriculture
medicine
social history
zooarchaeology
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text:
Field Label: OBJECT STATUS
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.CATALOGUE
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.CATEGORY
CHIN Field Mnemonic: OS
Source: CHIN
Status: Recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the status of the object.
Entry Rules: Use the Pop-Up List F9 to select the object status.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
original
replica
cast
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: Physical Status of the Object <pop-up>*
Field Label: OBJECT NAME
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.ITEM_NAME
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.ITEM_NAME
CHIN Field Mnemonic: OB
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the name of the object.
Entry Rules: Enter the object name. Classification terms and descriptive modifiers
should not be entered in this field, use OBA and OT. A semicolon and a space should
separate multiple entries. Generally, use the singular form of terms for Object Name.
Record the term in lowercase, except where the term includes a proper noun or is
otherwise capitalized in the controlled vocabulary. Avoid abbreviations. Use
terminology in the language of the catalogue record (English), except in cases where the
term does not exist in the language of the record. If there are names in other languages,
add them under the lever as alternate object name (OBA). Use diacritics as required.
Record terms in natural word order, not inverted order. Do not use punctuation, except
hyphens or slashes, as required. When the work type has changed (e.g. object was once a
flour sack, now an apron), record object name in reverse chronological order (most recent
first), or with the most important first. Make sure to check the older names as prior and
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give a reason in the note field. Use a name from one of the standard typologies or
vocabularies.
Examples:
scraper
projectile point
utilized flake
Rationale: We added “slashes” to the CHIN-CCO rules: “Do not use punctuation, except
hyphens or slashes, as required.” We do this because some of our Standard Vocabularies
use slashes.
Lever Tile: The object name will be linked in the level field. The attributor should enter
his or her name in the “attributor” subfield or use the Pop Up List F9, and the date the
object is named in the “attribution date” subfield. Use F9 in the “attribution date” if
using the current day’s date.
Online Hint Text: Common name for the Object. *
Field Label: ALTERNATE OBJECT NAME
Mimsy Name: ITEM_NAMES.ITEM_NAME
Pop-Up List Name: ITEM_NAMES.ITEM_NAME
CHIN Field Mnemonic: OBA
Source: CHIN
Status: Recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the alternate object name or prior object
name. OBA could contain complete name (with descriptors) from Standard Vocabularies
and Typologies binder, when these names are both names and types.
Entry Rules: Any name entered onto the main page will automatically be linked into this
field. If entering an alternate object name, use F6 to create a new child record under the
lever tile, then enter the object name, using lower case letters. Use a name from one of
the standard typologies or vocabularies.
Examples:
handaxe
arrowhead
convergent side scraper
double straight/convex side scraper
Rationale: One use of OBA is a place to put the Bordes (etc) complete typology names.
These names should also appear as single words in OB and descriptors in OT.
Lever Tile: The alternate object name will be linked in the level field. In the “Type”
subfield, use F9 to distinguish between the different types of names. The attributor
should enter his or her name in the “attributor” subfield or use the Pop-Up List F9, and
the date the object is named in the “attribution date” subfield. Use F9 in the “attribution
date” if using the current day’s date.
Online Hint Text: The name of the alternate object name.
Field Label: OBJECT TYPE
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.TITLE
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.TITLE
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CHIN Field Mnemonic: OT
Source: CHIN
Status: Strongly recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the object type, which is the descriptor for
the object name.
Entry Rules: Enter the type of the object, using lower case letters only. Use a semicolon
space to separate multiple entries if uploading to Artefacts Canada. Enter only the type,
not the name, which goes in the Object Name field above. Use the vocabularies in the
red typologies binder in T 1-28 to catalogue all specimens if possible. Use a name from
one of the standard typologies or vocabularies.
Examples:
triangular
end
atypical side
Levallois
Rationale: Although data is not completely clean, data will be sent to AC as per Heather
Dunn’s instructions.
Lever Tile: The object type will be linked in the level field. For an object that has
several or unclear modifiers, use the Pop-Up F9 to select the appropriate descriptor in the
“Type” subfield. (For example end would be a first part modifier). The attributor should
enter his or her name or use the Pop-Up List F9 in the “attributor” subfield and the date
the object is entered in the “attribution date” subfield. Use F9 in the “attribution date” if
using the current day’s date. Reference the vocabulary used in the Source subfield.
Online Hint Text: Enter the type of the object. *
RECOMMENDED CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES FOR CLASSIFICATION AND
OBJECT NAMES AND TYPES INCLUDE ANY ACCEPTED ARCHAEOLOGY
TYPOLOGY
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 at http://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 at http://www.mda.org.uk/archobj/archcon.htm
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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.
Sonneville-Bordes, D. de, Perrot, J. Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur.
Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française. 51 (7) 1954. 327-335.
ARTIST/MAKER, MANUFACTURER FIELDS
Field Label: MAKER/MANUFACTURER
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.MAKER
Pop-Up List Name: PEOPLE <MAKER>
CHIN Field Mnemonic: AR; MF
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the name of the maker and/or manufacturer
of the object.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list (F9) to select the name of the individual or organization
who made or manufactured the specimen. If entering more than one name, select one at a
time. A semi-colon will automatically separate multiple entries. If the name is not in the
Pop-Up list enter names of individuals in the following format: surname, first name,
followed by middle name(s) or initial(s). Enter organization or business name(s), without
inverting, in the format: name in full. The name should be entered in the language of the
catalogue record when possible. However, do not invent translations of personal or
corporate names to the language of the catalogue record if they are not found in
authoritative sources. Capitalize proper names; capitalize surnames, initials, forenames,
and honorifics consistently. Avoid abbreviations, except for the abbreviations for
numbers (such as 3rd) and for abbreviations that are part of a corporate body’s official
name (such as &). If the name includes an article or preposition used as a prefix (such as
de, des, le, la, l’, della, van, von, von der), generally use lowercase (for example, Gogh,
Vincent van). However, in some cases, the inverted form of the name is indexed with the
prefix as the first word – in this case, the prefix should be capitalized (e.g. Le Carré,
John). For names of early creators (pre-16th Century, such as Leonardo da Vinci) or nonWestern creators, do not invert the name if it is not inverted in authoritative sources.
Initials should be followed by periods. Commas and periods should be followed by a
space unless they are followed by other punctuation. For export to Artefacts Canada the
information in this field will be mapped to AR or MF based on the relationship subfield
as stated in the Rationale.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
Bonnichsen, Robson
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Young, David E.
Baylor University
Cerrutti, Richard A.
Rationale: 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. This is handled by our Relational
Database as variations of People/variation subfield in the People Authority. Titles and
honorifics are not normally used when entering a new artist or manufacturer. These are
entered in the Title field in the People Authority as well as in the Variation field. The
variation field will contain both our placement of the title: Surname, title, first name; and
CHIN-CCO’s format: surname, first name, followed by middle name(s) or initial(s) and
title, if any. (Honorific titles or other information that ordinarily precede the name, should
be entered after the given name or initials, and separated from them by a comma.)
Lever Tile: The name will automatically be linked in the lever sub-fields. The
“relationship” sub-field will automatically be filled in as “maker”. Change this to
manufacturer as necessary. Record uncertainty in the certainty subfield as “reasonably
positive” or “significant doubt”. Upon upload to Artefacts Canada, significant doubt
about the attribution will be indicated by following the name with a space "?" and
reasonably positive will be indicated by the phrase "Attributed to" after the name.
Online Hint Text: Person or organization responsible for creation of the object.
DATING FIELDS
Field Label: DATE MADE
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.DATE_MADE
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.DATE_MADE
CHIN Field Mnemonic: BPD1; EPD2
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada where applicable for the object.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the date the object was made. AC Date to
(EPD2): This field indicates the precise date of the creation or production of the object.
If we have only one date it will be uploaded to EPD2. If the object was created over
more than one year, this field indicates the latest date of the span of dates when the object
was created, manufactured, or formed. AC Date From (BPD1): This field indicates the
earliest date of a span of dates when the object was created, manufactured, or formed. If
a precise date is known, use Date of Object, To (EPD2) only.
Entry Rules: Enter the date as YYYY-MM-DD. If the day is unknown, enter it as
YYYY-MM-00. If only the year is known, enter it as YYYY. Enter a numeric date.
Record years without commas or other punctuation, except for the dash, which is used to
express negative numbers for dates BCE and to separate YYYY-MM-DD. Use four
digits for most years. If possible, for years that require fewer than four digits, insert
leading zeroes (for example, 0009). Dates BCE may require more than four digits (for
example, -10000). If the specific year or years is not known, record dates with the
greatest accuracy known. Do not use n.d. to indicate no date. BCE dates should be
expressed as negative integers. If there is a date range, enter the two dates separated with
a dash. This will be parsed as the “to” and “from” fields when saved.
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Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
2005-07-05
1975-05-00
1927
-0100
Rationale: If there is a single date, it goes to EPD2 in Artefacts Canada. If there is a date
range, it goes to BPD1 and EPD2 in Artefacts Canada. For the time being, our date made
is for replicas and casts only. In the future, information from Period, Description, etc.
fields could be researched and actual dates entered in DATE MADE .
Lever Tile: The date will automatically be linked in the lever sub-field.
Online Hint Text: Enter the date the object was made or manufactured. *
Field Label: PERIOD DESIGNATION
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.AGE
Pop-Up List Name: Period Designation
CHIN Field Mnemonic: PER
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the period designation associated with the
object(s). This field contains the year, span of years, the name of the historical period or
any non-numeric chronological data associated with the object.
Entry Rules: Use the Pop-Up List (F9) to select the appropriate period designation. If
entering more than one designation, select them one at a time. They will automatically
be separated by a semi-colon. Enter the historical period, date, or textual date. Use natural
word order. Do not capitalize words other than proper nouns or period names. Avoid
abbreviations, except with ca. (for circa), the numbers in century or dynasty designations
(for example, 17th century), and BCE and CE. Use ordinal numbers (for example, 4th)
and Arabic numbers (for example, 1959), as appropriate. Express words and phrases in
the language of the catalogue record, except where a term in another language is most
commonly used, as with the name of a period. Use diacritics as required. If a specific
date is known, record the year. If a span of dates is applicable, record the year beginning
the span, followed by a dash and the year ending the span. To express uncertainty or
otherwise clarify the dates, place editorial commentary before the years (for example, ca.,
designed, etc.) when possible. Use BCE (Before Common Era) to indicate dates before
the year 1. For dates after the year 1, do not include the designation CE (Current Era)
except where confusion may occur because either the span of dates begins BCE and ends
CE (for example, 75 BCE-10 CE) or the date is within the first few centuries of the
Current Era. Do not use BC (Before Christ) or AD (Anno Domini). For very ancient
dates, BCE is often not appropriate; use the phrases years ago or before present (for
example, created about 75,000 years ago) in these cases, but do not use abbreviations
such as y.a. or B.P. Record the significance of the date (e.g. constructed; designed;
begun) if applicable. Record uncertain or approximate dates by using qualifiers such as
probably, a question mark, or (for example, 1568 or 1569), circa, before and after (for
example, before 1758), or a date span. For very ancient works, use the word about rather
9
than ca. to indicate approximate dates (for example, about 18,000 years ago). When the
exact date is unknown, record dates with the greatest accuracy known; indicate the date
to the nearest decade or century, where appropriate. Do not use an apostrophe with
decades (for example, 1890s, not 1890’s). Dates can be qualified by adding one of the
following attributes: circa (ca.), before, after, probably, and ? (uncertain). Attributes
should be separated from the date with a space. Dates can also be qualified by adding one
of the following attributes: century, early, mid, late, first half, second half, first and last.
If there is no more precise date known than the broad period or the reign of a ruler,
express dates according to a named period, dynasty, or ruler’s reign, as appropriate. Do
not leave this field blank, instead use “unknown” if necessary.
Examples:
Early Prehistoric
Iron Age
Upper Paleolithic
ca. 1980s
Rationale: PERIOD can act like a display field.
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: Geological, chronological or human time period associated with the
object(s).
DIMENSION FIELDS
Field Label: LENGTH
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.DIMENSION1
CHIN Field Mnemonic: LEN; HT
Source: CHIN
Status: At least one of the dimensions fields required for uploading to Artefacts Canada,
but see Rational.
Field Definition: This field contains the measurement of the object's overall length or
height, excluding any frame or pedestal. If the object is irregular, the measurement
represents the greatest length or height, including all component parts.
Entry Rules: Enter a single dimension measurement, expressed as numerics only. If the
object is irregular, measure the greatest height including all component parts. Express
measurements for a primarily two-dimensional work, such as a drawing or painting, as
height by width. Express measurements for a three-dimensional work, such as a
sculpture or piece of furniture, as height by width by depth.
Data Type: real number
Examples:
70.5
50
9.217
Rationale: Many of our specimens have no Dimension data at all. At the present time
these will be left blank for uploading to AC. As AC and CCO suggest 3D objects be
recorded as HT, WI and DP but our exiting records are in a Length field, we will
continue to use Length as the greatest overall measurement but will map this to AC HT.
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Lever Tile: Enter uncertainty in the “Note” subfield. Attributed or uncertain data will be
indicated on upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the term
Online Hint Text: Enter the numeric height or length of the object.
Field Label: LENGTH (HEIGHT) UNITS
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.UNIT1
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: UNL
Source: CHIN
Status: Required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the measurement unit for the length. This
field contains the linear unit of measurement (metric or Imperial) used consistently for
the dimension fields, according to international codes or abbreviations.
Entry Rules: Use the drop down list to select the unit of measurement. Enter the
internationally accepted name or abbreviation for the unit of measurement. All
measurements of the object should be made in the same unit. Avoid abbreviating the unit
of measurement for Imperial units. Express metric units by the appropriate symbol (for
example, cm); do not use punctuation following the metric symbol. Write the unit in
lowercase. Exceptions include proper names and certain types of symbols or
abbreviations. Use the following metric symbols: m (metre); cm (centimetre); mm
(millimetre); g (gram); kg (kilogram). Use the following Imperial units: inches; feet;
ounces; pounds.
Examples:
cm
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: The unit for the length measurement.
Field Label: WIDTH
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.DIMENSION2
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: WI
Source: CHIN
Status: At least one of the dimensions fields required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the width measurement. This field contains
the measurement of the object's overall width, excluding any frame or pedestal. If the
object is irregular, the measurement represents the greatest width including all component
parts.
Entry Rules: Enter the width measurement as a numeric only. Enter a single dimension
measurement, expressed as numerics only. Measure paintings, face down, to the outer
edges of the stretcher or panel. If the object is irregular, measure the greatest width
including all component parts. Express measurements for a primarily two-dimensional
work, such as a drawing or painting, as height by width. Express measurements for a
three-dimensional work, such as a sculpture or piece of furniture, as height by width by
depth.
Examples:
11
46
5.2
Rationale:
Lever Tile: Enter uncertainty in the note field. Attributed or uncertain data will be
indicated on upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the term.
Online Hint Text: The numeric width measurement of the unit.
Field Label: WIDTH UNITS
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.UNIT2
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: UNL
Source: CHIN
Status: Required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the unit of measurement for the width. This
field contains the linear unit of measurement (metric or Imperial) used consistently for
the dimension fields, according to international codes or abbreviations.
Entry Rules: Select the unit of measurement for the width from the drop down list. Enter
the internationally accepted name or abbreviation for the unit of measurement. All
measurements of the object should be made in the same unit. Avoid abbreviating the unit
of measurement for Imperial units. Express metric units by the appropriate symbol (for
example, cm); do not use punctuation following the metric symbol. Write the unit in
lowercase. Exceptions include proper names and certain types of symbols or
abbreviations. Use the following metric symbols: m (metre); cm (centimetre); mm
(millimetre); g (gram); kg (kilogram). Use the following Imperial units: inches; feet;
ounces; pounds.
Examples:
cm
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: The unit of measurement for the width.
Field Label: THICKNESS
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.DIMENSION3
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: DP
Source:
Status: At least one of the dimensions fields required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the numeric value for the thickness or depth.
This field contains the measurement of the overall thickness or depth or the internal depth
of a hollow object.
Entry Rules: Enter the depth measurement as a numeric only. Enter a single dimension
measurement, expressed as numerics only. Express measurements for a primarily twodimensional work, such as a drawing or painting, as height by width. Express
measurements for a three-dimensional work, such as a sculpture or piece of furniture, as
height by width by depth.
Examples:
12
6
3.7
15
Rationale: Our Thickness is equal to Depth in the Artefacts Canada dictionary.
Lever Tile: Enter uncertainty in the note field. Attributed or uncertain data will be
indicated on upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the term.
Online Hint Text: The numeric value for the thickness measurement.
Field Label: THICKNESS (DEPTH) UNIT
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.UNIT3
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: UNL
Source: CHIN
Status: At least one of the dimensions fields required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the unit of measurement for the thickness.
This field contains the linear unit of measurement (metric or Imperial) used consistently
for the dimension fields, according to international codes or abbreviations.
Entry Rules: Use the drop down list to select the unit of measurement of the thickness.
Enter the internationally accepted name or abbreviation for the unit of measurement. All
measurements of the object should be made in the same unit. Avoid abbreviating the unit
of measurement for Imperial units. Express metric units by the appropriate symbol (for
example, cm); do not use punctuation following the metric symbol. Write the unit in
lowercase. Exceptions include proper names and certain types of symbols or
abbreviations. Use the following metric symbols: m (metre); cm (centimetre); mm
(millimetre); g (gram); kilogram (kg). Use the following Imperial units: inches; feet;
ounces; pounds.
Examples:
cm
mm
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: The unit of measurement used to measure the thickness.
Field Label: WEIGHT
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.WEIGHT1/ MEASUREMENTS.WEIGHT2
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: WT
Source: CHIN
Status: At least one of the dimensions fields required for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the numeric value of the weight. Enter a
single numeric weight.
Entry Rules: Enter the numeric value of the weight.
Examples:
5.6
Rationale:
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Lever Tile: Enter uncertainty in the note field. Attributed or uncertain data will be
indicated on upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the term.
Online Hint Text: The numeric value of the weight measurement.
Field Label: WEIGHT UNITS
Mimsy Name: MEASUREMENTS.WUNIT1/ MEASUREMENTS.WUNIT2
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: UNL
Source: CHIN
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the unit of measurement for the weight.
Entry Rules: Select the unit of measurement for the weight from the drop down list.
Enter the internationally accepted abbreviation for the unit of weight. For units of
measurement, the accepted practice is to enter Imperial abbreviations followed by a
period and metric codes without a period. Use the following metric symbols: m (metre);
cm (centimetre); mm (millimetre); g (gram); kg (kilogram). Use the following Imperial
units: inches; feet; ounces; pounds.
Examples:
g
kg
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: The unit of measurement for the weight of the object.
DESCRIPTIVE FIELDS
Field Label: MATERIALS
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.MATERIALS
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.MATERIALS
CHIN Field Mnemonic: MA
Source: CHIN
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the material the object(s) is made of. The
lever sub-fields are used to list the colour of the object(s). This field lists the materials
used to make a three-dimensional object such as a sculpture, historical artifact or
ethnographic artifact. Materials are listed from the most to the least predominant.
Entry Rules: Enter the type of material in hierarchical fashion using carrots. If the
material is lithic, always preface the lithic type with lithic> space. If the material is
fauna, use fauna> . If the material is flora, use flora> . Ceramic should only be entered as
‘ceramic’. Always include a space between the greater than and the material type. Enter
singular nouns except where it is inappropriate to do so. Where appropriate, use the plural
form instead of the singular; that is, use terminology that reflects the characteristics of the
work being catalogued, if possible. For example, if several feathers have been applied as
a material, the plural term feathers should be used. Do not use abbreviations. Use
lowercase except where the material is distinguished by a proper noun, such as Carrara
14
marble, or is known by its brand name, such as FormicaTM. Do not use brand names
unless the material is known exclusively or primarily by that term. Use terminology in
the language of the catalogue record. Include the appropriate diacritical marks. Use
natural word order. A semicolon and a space should separate multiple entries.
Examples:
ceramic
lithic> flint
flora> pinyon seed
fauna> bone
Rationale:
Lever Tile: Open the lever field and click into the “component” sub-field. Use F6 to
create a new record. The “component” sub-field will automatically be filled in with
‘overall’ and the “descriptor” sub-field will automatically be filled in with ‘colour’.
Enter the colour name, determined from a Munsell colour chart, under the “term” subfield. Attributed or uncertain data should be explained in the Note field and then
indicated on upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the term in MA.
Online Hint Text: The materials of composition of the object(s)
Field Label: TECHNIQUE
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.OPTION7
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.OPTION7
CHIN Field Mnemonic: MT
Source: CHIN
Status: Strongly recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the technique used to make the object(s).
This field lists, from most to least predominant the processes, methods or techniques used
to create a three-dimensional object.
Entry Rules: Use Pop-Up F9. Enter the technique used to make the object(s), using only
lower case letters. Enter the techniques from the most predominant to the least
predominant. Terms should be as specific as possible and in a past participle form. Do
not use abbreviations. Use lowercase except where the technique is distinguished by a
proper noun. Use terminology in the language of the catalogue record. Include the
appropriate diacritical marks. Use natural word order. A semicolon and a space should
separate multiple entries. Default is chipped-stone.
Examples:
chipped-stone
twisted
incised
Rationale: Since CHIN requires that terms should be as specific as possible, we have
changed the entries that used a “>” to separate hierarchies, leaving the most specific term
only. This was done by Kevin Haugrud Mar/08.
Lever Tile: Attributed or uncertain data should be followed by space "?".
Online Hint Text: Enter the technique used to make the object(s). *
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RECOMMENDED CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES FOR MATERIAL &
TECHNIQUE
British Museum Materials Thesaurus. More information or entire resource available
online at http://www.mda.org.uk/bmmat/matintro.htm
Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) created by the J. Paul Getty Trust.
More information or entire resource available online at
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat
Andrefsky Jr., William (editor)
2001 Lithic Debitage. The University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City.
Luedtke, Barbara E.
1992 An Archaeologists Guide to Chert and Flint. Archaeological Research
Tools, Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Mottana, Annibale, Rodolfo Crespi and Guiseppe Liborio
1978 A Guide to Rocks and Minerals. Prinz, Martin, George
Harlow and Joseph Peters, editors; translated by: Catherine Athill, Hugh Young
and Simon Pleasance;,Simon and Schuster, New York.
Field Label: DESCRIPTIONS
Mimsy Name: ITEM_DESCRIPTIONS.DESCRIPTION
Pop-Up List Name: CATALOGUE.DESCRIPTION
CHIN Field Mnemonic: DE
Source: CHIN
Status: Strongly recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter a physical description of the object. This field
lists, from most to least predominant the processes, methods or techniques used to create
a three-dimensional object.
Entry Rules: Enter descriptive information that will supplement, qualify, or explain
information indexed in various other fields. Provide a physical description of the object.
Enter information not already fully described in other fields. Use natural word order.
Use complete sentences. List information in the order of importance, chronologically, or
from general to specific, depending on which is appropriate for the particular work. Use
sentence case and capitalize proper names. Avoid abbreviations. Write the Description
in the language of the catalogue record. Use diacritics as appropriate. All information
that is in the Description and is required for retrieval should also be indexed in
appropriate fields elsewhere in the record.
Examples:
notch on bifacial retouched end
excurvate blade, corner notched, recurved and rectangular shoulders,
convex base, continuous retouch, contracting flaking
F. Bordes biface type 11
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There are two codes, "C" and "F8", inscribed on the surface after dyeing.
Significance to experimental procedure to be determined.
Rationale: Although data is not completely clean, data will be sent to AC as per Heather
Dunn’s instructions.
Lever Tile: The description will be linked in the level field. The attributor should enter
his or her name or use the Pop-Up List F9 in the “attributor” subfield and the date the
object is entered in the “attribution date” subfield. Use F9 in the “attribution date” if
using the current day’s date. If the Attribution is uncertain, explain this in the Certainty
subfield. Reference sources used in the Source subfield.
Online Hint Text: The physical description of the object.
Field Label: LINKED OBJECTS
Field Name(s): RELATED_ITEMS.OBJECT
Pop-Up List Name: null
CHIN Field Mnemonic: ASSN
Source: CHIN, History Task Force; Ethnology Task Force
Status : Strongly recommended for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to link other associated objects. This field provides a
cross-reference, such as accession or catalogue number, to other objects in the collections
that are associated by collection, history or usage. Contradictory and comparative
material may also be included.
Entry Rules: Using the pop-up list F9, select the accession number of the object(s) that
relates to this one. DO NOT enter LOT information in this field. Enter the reference
including the accession or catalogue number of the associated items. This field provides a
cross-reference, such as accession or catalogue number, to other objects in the collections
that are associated by collection, history or usage. Contradictory and comparative
material may also be included.
Open Flexi-Fields to add or view other Object Authority records related to the object.
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
986.9.145
Also see Haines Collection
Compare with 1978.19.1
identical design to H78. 50a-c
Rationale: This ADDITIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Field in Artefacts Canada, maps best
to our Linked Objects.
Lever Tile: Enter linked objects in the Number ID subfield using the Pop-up (F9). Enter
the Relationship subfield using the Pop-up (F9). Upload to Artefacts Canada as
RELATED_ITEMS.OBJECT (space) RELATED_ITEMS.RELATIONSHIP.
Online Hint Text:
ORIGIN / USE FIELDS
Field Label: PLACE
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Mimsy Name:
Field Mnemonic: ORCT; ORCRY; ORPR; ORMU
Source: CHIN
Status : Strongly recommended for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter a place name.
Entry Rules: Enter the name of the place in full; avoid abbreviations. Capitalize proper
names. If the preferred name includes an article or preposition (such as los, il, de, des,
della, la or l’), use lowercase. If the article or preposition is the first element in the name,
however, spell it with an initial capital letter. Record the name in the language of the
catalogue record. If there is no name in the language of the catalogue record, use the
local (vernacular) name for the place. Use diacritics as appropriate. Do not invert the
name; use natural word order.
Related Fields: See also, Source Country (SRCRY).
Data Type: alpha-numeric string
Examples:
Calico Mountain
Canada
Nunavut
United States of America
Rationale: Our PLACE COLLECTED is a “display” field. Our place data will probably
map to the various AC Fields via our Place Authority and its subfields. (Jim to Resolve
whether we are mapping from CATALOGUE.PLACE_COLLECTED or from the Place
Authority.)
Lever Tile: The names of former colonies and countries with or without new borders
may change, and should be entered in the Variation subfield. On upload to AC this
information will be map as current name, semicolon, name in use when the object was
collected. Attributed data should be explained in the Note field and indicated on upload
to AC by a space "?" in the last AC field in hierarchy.
Online Hint Text:
Field Label: PLACE COLLECTED
MIMSY Name: CATALOGUE.PLACE_COLLECTED
Pop-Up List Name: Places
CHIN Field Mnemonic: ORCT; ORCRY; ORPR; ORMU
Source: CHIN
Status: Strongly recommended for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the place from which the specimen was
collected.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list (F9) to select the place from which the specimen was
collected. This can be done by following the tree down until finding the place, or by
highlighting “Place” (just above the “Africa” entry) and then typing in the desired place
name in the box above, followed by %. Use F8 to then run the search if using the second
method. Only use the most specific place name; do not enter a city name if the object
was found near the city. Once the place has been selected, click “copy hierarchy” to
bring the string to the main page.
Examples:
18
Europe: France, Dordogne, Le Moustier
North America: Canada, Alberta
South America: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Lagoa Santa Karst
Rationale: Our PLACE COLLECTED is a “display” field. Our place data will probably
map to the various AC Fields via our Place Authority (see PLACE above).
Lever Tile: The place will be linked under the lever fields. If additional information
must be entered, enter it under the “note” sub-field. Any proximity information (ie: near
Casablanca, or 6km south of Edmonton) must be entered in the “place details” sub-field.
The attributor’s name should be entered “attributor” if any information is included in the
“note” sub-field, and the attribution date should be entered under the “attribution date”
sub-field. Use F9 in the “attribution date” sub-field if using the current day’s date.
Attributed or uncertain data should be explained in the note field and then indicated on
upload to Artifacts Canada by “?” after the last AC term in hierarchy (ORCRY, ORPR,
ORMU, etc.)
Online Hint Text: The geographic location where the object was collected.
Field Label: SITE
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.SITE
Pop-Up List Name: SITE NAMES
CHIN Field Mnemonic: ZNA
Source: CHIN
Status:
Field Definition: This field contains the name of the archaeological site where the object
was collected. If the site has more than one name, the preferred name is entered first.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up (F9) list to select the name of the site from which the
specimen was collected. Enter all the site names or designations by which the site is
known. Enter the preferred name in the leading position. A semicolon and a space should
separate multiple entries.
Examples:
Barma Grande
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Combe Capelle
Rationale:
Lever Tile: The site name will be linked under the lever field. Under the lever fields
enter additional names or designations by which the site has been known. Note Prior
Attribution. The attributor should enter his or her name or use the Pop-Up List F9 in the
“attributor” subfield and the date the object is entered in the “attribution date” subfield.
Use F9 in the “attribution date” if using the current day’s date. If the Attribution is
uncertain, explain this in the Certainty subfield. Reference sources used in the Source
subfield. When mapping to Artefacts Canada, string Alternate Site Names from the Site
Authority (SITES.OPTION1) and then Previous Site Names from the Object Authority
Site subfield ITEMS_SITES.SITE after the Preferred Site name separated by semicolons.
Online Hint Text: The site name where the object was collected.
Field Label: BORDEN NO.
19
Mimsy Name: SITES.OPTION2
Pop-Up List Name:
CHIN Field Mnemonic: ZBN
Source: CHIN
Status: Recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the Borden Number assigned to official
Canadian archaeological sites.
Entry Rules: Enter the Borden Number. This site can only be used for Canadian sites.
Examples:
FjPb-2
NiRd-2
KcFr-3A
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: Enter the Borden Number.
RECOMMENDED CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES FOR GEOGRAPHICAL
DATA
Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN). More information or entire resource available
online at http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/tgn
Canadian Geographical Names Data Base (CGNDB). More information or entire
resource available online at http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php
Archaeology Wordsmith
Canadian Archaeology Radiocarbon Database: Canadian Geographic Names, Natural
Resources Canada
Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the World
GEOnet Names Server
Geology Catalog
Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Global Gazetteer: Cities and Towns of the World
Préhistoire
U.S. Board on Geographic Names
USGS Geographic Names Information System
Welcome to the Combe Capelle Bas homepage
Wikipedia
Worldwide Directory of Cities and Towns
ETHNOLOGICAL FIELDS
Field Label: CULTURE
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.CULTURE
Pop-Up List Name: Culture
CHIN Field Mnemonic: CU
Source: CHIN, Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and
Practice. 3rd Edition. Thames and Hudson. New York, USA. 2000. 566.
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
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Field Definition: This field identifies the culture associated with the object based on its
social/geographic origin, and contains the primary information on culture. For our
purpose, culture is most closely defined as an Archaeological Cultural Group. The
definition of is “A complex of regularly occurring associated artifacts, features, burial
types and house forms comprising a distinct identity (Renfrew, 2000: 566).
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list (F9) to select the culture associated with the specimen.
If entering more than one culture, select them one at a time. A semi-colon will be added
automatically to separate each culture name. Enter the name of the culture. Generally use
the adjectival form of a proper noun for a culture, region, nation, or continent. In rare
cases, when there is no commonly used adjectival form, use the noun form (for example,
Asia Minor). Capitalize terms for culture and nationality. Avoid abbreviations. Use
terms in the language of the catalogue record, except in cases where no exact Englishlanguage equivalent exists. Use diacritics as required.
Examples:
Acheulean
Agate Basin
Solutrean
Rationale:
Lever Tile: Each culture will be linked in the lever field. Attributed or uncertain data
should be explained in the Certainty subfield and then indicated on upload to Artifacts
Canada with a “?” after the term in CU.
Online Hint Text: The society or ethnic group associated with the object(s).
Field Label: GEOGRAPHIC CULTURAL AREA
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.OPTION5
Pop-Up List Name: Geographic Cultural Area
CHIN Field Mnemonic: GCUD
Source: CHIN
Status: Recommended field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field is used to enter the geographic cultural area associated with
the specimen(s). Enter the geographic cultural area. Attributed data should be followed
by space "?". A semicolon and a space should separate multiple entries.
Entry Rules: Use the pop-up list (F9) to select the appropriate geographic cultural area.
Examples:
South-west
Great Plains
Europe
Rationale:
Lever Tile:
Online Hint Text: Enter the geographic cultural area associated with the object(s). *
Field Label: ACCESSION NO.
Mimsy Name: CATALOGUE.ID_NUMBER
Pop-Up List Name: LAST NUMBER
<CATALOGUE.ID_NUMBER>;FUNCTION.NEXT NUMBER<2004./(2)./(3)./(4)>
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CHIN Field Mnemonic: AN
Source: NDB
Status: Required field for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Field Definition: This field contains the most recent accession number assigned to the
specimen, or sometimes to a group of specimens, by the Department of Anthropology.
Entry Rules: Enter the Accession Number for the object, using 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, the object number and finally the part letter (if applicable). Do
NOT attempt to enter a number which refers to more than one object or part of an object.
“972.10.1A-D” is incorrect. The most widely used system of accession numbers in the
museum world consists of compound numbers. The first part of the number represents the
year; the second part, the accession (sample, lot, or group) received by or collected for
the institution in that year; the third part, the item or specimen within the lot or group. Do
not use colons, commas or semicolons.
Examples:
996.1.200
972.10.2a
2005.7.1
Rationale: CHIN-CCO uses: The suggested format is the four digit year (YYYY),
followed by the accession lot number, the item number and the pieces, for example
1978.14.10a-b. We do not do this. Instead we give all pieces there own accession
catalogue. If they are pieces of one object they would be accessioned as part a, b, c, etc.,
and then linked as a LOT. For example 978.14.10a and 978.14.10b plus 978.14.10aLOT.
If there is more than one identical cast this will be reflected in the Item Count and noted
in the description. If the item breaks after accessioning, the pieces will be labeled
978.14.10(a) and 978.14.10(b) on the artifact but no change will be made to the accession
number. Documentation of the break and relabeling should be noted in Description and
in the Condition Activity. Breakage resulting in very small pieces should be contained
together in a bag or vial with the accession number.
Lever Tile: Previously used accession numbers (such as Geology Catalogue numbers)
and other numbers associated with the object are entered under the lever field.
Online Hint Text: Enter the Accession Number assigned to the object. *
Credit and Copyright Fields
These fields will be automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada.
Photo and Image Fields
These fields will be automatically generated when the information is uploaded to
Artefacts Canada.
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