Dear Zooarch List,
My name is Maudie Gunzi and I am currently in my third year of BA
Archaeology, working on my dissertation, the title of which is 'An
assessment of extant databases and methods for recording Zooarchaeological
bone collections, and the development of a possible alternative'. As the
title suggests, it is based around the formation of a new recording system
for animal bones.
It involves a library of animal bone photographs that can be selected and
manipulated by the user in order to record the assemblage more
efficiently. This would then be saved with the record of the bone, making
it easier to refer to the bone and visualise it.
I have only been working on a sheep skeleton, but if a system were to be
made, it would include the most common species that Zooarchaeologists come
across in the field. This could later be extended to include alternative
species as well.
I would be happy to small photograph to anyone who wished to see an
example of the ones I have taken. I currently have images of every aspect
of each bone in the sheep skeleton; though it is unlikely all of them
would be included in the recording system, as it would take up too much
space.
I have also conducted some interviews on Zooarchaeologist’s thoughts on
the recording systems that are available to use at the moment. I was
hoping that some of you have any time, you might be able to input your
thoughts on the issue as well, and so I may wider range of views. I have
come up with some questions to prompt any of you wishing to help, though
please don’t feel you have to answer all of them.
What method do you use to record the data you gain from a collection? Is
it by hand, computer or both? What programs do you use on the computer?
How do record any bone modifications such as pathology, butchery marks or
burnt bone? Does this method take a long time?
What would you say is wrong with your recording method and how would you
suggest improving it?
Would a system that was based around photographs and visualising the bone
modifications as mentioned above be useful to you? Why?
Please reply to [log in to unmask]
Thank you very much for your time, and best regards,
Maudie Gunzi
Institute of Archaeology,
University College London
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