Thanks Dominique,
This short presentation is intended to introduce the background to MIDAS, then to review the current first consultation draft of an annex to MIDAS,
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/FISH/ArchSci_MIDAS_annex_v2.rtf
intended to cover the range of archaeological science data discussed here.
1. Background
MIDAS was developed in 1996-98 as a national (English that is) manual and data standard for monument inventories. It sets out guidance on what information should be recorded, and how, to achieve a given objective. The areas covered by the first edition included Monument character, Events and Bibliographic or other information source data, plus other areas that could be associated with any of those main areas (Locational data, Associated People and Organisations, Names and References). Since the publication of the first edition two annexes have appeared covering GIS or mapped data and Maritime or Aircraft. All are available via the FISH website www.fish-forum.info (and follow the links) or via the English Heritage website at www.english-heritage.org.uk/midas. The exception is the Maritime and Aircraft annex which is currently available in the file store for this list, pending re-working of the EH website.
The intention is to produce a second UK-wide edition of MIDAS for publication in 2006, and preparatory work is already underway. However, given the advanced state of the discussion of archaeological science data, it seems appropriate to publish this as a final annex to the first edition. This and the other annexes will be incorporated into the 2nd edition along with other topics. See the FISH list message archive for September 2003 for early discussion of coverage of the 2nd edition.
1a. A note on MIDAS jargon
MIDAS contains two sections. The first sets out 'Information Schemes'. These are general subject areas that are covered by MIDAS. So for example 'Monument Character' is an Information Scheme covering the description of whole monuments. The second details the individual 'units of information' used for each Information Scheme. These are the basic facts or items of data. So 'Monument Type' is a unit of information within the Monument Character.
2. The 'Research and Standards' annex
The first draft of the annex, under the working title 'Research and Analysis' is available in the filestore at
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/FISH/ArchSci_MIDAS_annex_v2.rtf (183K download). I should stress that this is a draft to canvass ideas. It will be modified subsequent to discussion and formally peer-reviewed later this year.
I've drafted it to cover a wider range of analytical work than the environmental and conservation work discussed so far. Its scope is defined as: -
"Records of analytical work that gathers information about and describes characteristics of material remains"
This could be environmental samples or collections of artefacts, but I'm hoping it could also include work to analyse groups of monuments or other landscape features. The morphological analysis of crop-mark sites undertaken by the EH National Mapping Programme might be an example. I'd be interested to hear if conference thinks this is too
ambitious!
Within that framework a distinction is made between what I loosely call 'Sample / Assemblage' i.e. things selected for study, and 'Investigations'. The distinction is made as a sample might exist for years with no investigation work carried out on it, but it is still important to record its existence, and other data (what it is, how old it is, preservation state, importance or potential) so that it can be managed, identified and prioritised for future research etc. The Investigation then records what has been done to a sample, what technique has been used and what results gained.
'Units of information' are then identified - basic 'facts' that should be recorded to produce an adequate record. These are defined in the second half of the annex. Some of these are 'Recommended' others are optional. Many recommend the use of a controlled indexing vocabulary (thesaurus, wordlist etc). Initial work on these has been introduced by Gill and Ian.
Existing standards in MIDAS are also referred to, so that, for example, the Events standard may be used to record details of the provenance of the sample, People and Organisations standards can be used to record who has undertaken the investigation, Bibliography etc can cover where the results have been published or made available.
A table at the end illustrates a possible application.
3. How it might work in reality.
The draft annex is defined in deliberately broad or generic terms. One point when thinking about how it might be applied. The 'units of information' do not necessarily correspond to fields in a database or boxes on a form. They simply identify information that needs to be recorded in some way. Take for example the 'Research Objective' unit of information defined as "The objective or intention of a particular example of research work". One researcher might use a different form for recording the procedures and results of say quantification of pottery assemblages from identification of their fabrics. That's fine. The distinction between the two Objectives can be made.
4. Issues
As I say, this is an early draft and there are plenty of issues (some listed in the annex) which conference may wish to comment upon. Ian has already commented, for example, that conservation work is often a form of investigation, and can therefore be treated in the same way as other analytical procedures from the point of view of data standards.
I look forward to comments on the draft, and issues raised,
Edmund Lee
Data Standards Supervisor
Data Standards Unit
English Heritage
National Monuments Record Centre
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2GZ
United Kingdom
t: +44 (0) 1793 414791
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f: +44 (0) 1793 414770
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