And another thing on this Information scheme
I would suggest that we ned to draw MIDAS closer together with the SPECTRUM
standard maintained on behalf of the museums community by the mda. Currently
MIDAS treats 'objects' as a potential source of information for creating /
indexing monument and event records. For example a Roman pottery kiln waste
found on an otherwise medieval site might be taken to imply the existence of
another monument - a Roman pottery kiln (though there may be other
explainations). MIDAS currently only goes to the extent of suggesting that
the appropriate museum collection should be referenced in the monument
record.
What should be done in MIDAS 2 to bring about closer integration with
SPECTRUM?
What additional units of information do we need in MIDAS (e.g. artefact
type, artefact naterial? artefact date / period information, artefact
maker).
SPECTRUM includes the concept of 'Peoples' (i.e. cultural groups) would this
be useful in the historic environment sector?
Do the additional information requirements merit setting up a new
information scheme ('Artefact character' perhaps to complement 'Monument
character')?
I would also welcome comment from those familiar with SPECTRUM as to what
additional units of information might be appropriate in the next edition of
SPECTRUM? As an example, the SPECTRUM 'Object Entry' procedure includes the
general heading of 'Field Collection Place', which breaks down into several
unit sof information not too different to MIDAS Locations, but should the
Field Collection place also include more specifically things such as
Monument Type?
All views welcome!
Edmund
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