Hi all
Agree quantity unit required. "extent" implies spatial (to me anyway),
so perhaps "quantity" the better name. This is slightly different to
archive extent, where the archive may be one thingy but you still need
to convey whether it's a big thingy or a little one.
Also applies to Finds - already implented in HBSMR to help record
assemblages.
All gets interesting when numbers won't do (e.g. "a few", "lots") - for
Finds in HBSMR we have introduced a quantification system that has a
value and a rank, so people can query their data to pull out records
that have (for example) more than 5 medieval sherds, including any that
have been recorded as having "loads".
Cheers
Crispin
-----Original Message-----
From: Poppy Sarah [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 June 2006 09:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Multiple Indexing
Dear all
I would whole hearted support the need for a quantity measure in MIDAS,
I have often thought this would be useful to record. We have introduced
a quantity measure into HBSMR for finds which has been a useful
addition, and the same for monument types would be an obvious step.
It seems more logical to me to call the unit "quantity" rather than
"extent".
Best wishes
Sarah
-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of CARLISLE, Phil
Sent: 09 June 2006 09:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Multiple Indexing
Hi everyone
I'd just like to clear up any misunderstanding of what we mean by
multiple indexing.
I think all the issues have already been covered by both Tanja and
Crispin but Simon has raised a pertinent point too ie that Monarch used
to have a quantity field.
This is indeed the case and the field is still retained, although much
underused, in the current incarnation of the NMRs database AMIE.
The issues relating to multiple indexing are the following.
1. If there is uncertainty as to what the monument is then both monument
types should be indexed. Eg. if you have a mound in a field which could
be a barrow or it could be a windmill mound, then you would double index
(ie MULTIPLE INDEX) with both BARROW and WINDMILL MOUND.
2. If you have a monument type which is a non-preferred term which is
represented in the thesaurus by two terms. Eg. Abbey Gate then you
double index with ABBEY and GATE
3. If you have multiple monument types associated with one site eg. a
BARROW CEMETERY which includes different BARROW types. In this instance
you could just index as BARROW CEMETERY or you could multiple index
with, BARROW CEMETERY, ROUND BARROW, DISC BARROW, BOWL BARROW etc.
4. If you have multiple occurrences of the same Monument Type eg.
Chris's example of 1300 Inhumations then you (could) double index the
record with INHUMATION CEMETERY and INHUMATION.
Our suggestion is that we create a MIDAS unit of information called
EXTENT.
This would apply to monuments in the same way that ARCHIVE EXTENT is
used.
ARCHIVE EXTENT allows you to say how many items you have in a
collection. So, for example, you can say in the BEDFORD LEMERE
collection there are 52 boxes of photos. This means you don't have to
create individual records for each box as all you are doing is
signposting the size of the collection.
Thus, Chris's example would appear as something like:
PERIOD MONUMENT TYPE EXTENT/QUANTITY
ANGLO-SAXON INHUMATION CEMETERY 1
ANGLO-SAXON INHUMATION 1300
This would allow anyone searching for large inhumation cemeteries with
high numbers of burials.
For the most part the EXTENT/QUANTITY field could default to 1 with the
ability to overwrite if/when necessary.
We've only just started thinking about whether this should be included
and welcome input from the HER community. Any thoughts on whether you
think the addition of this unit of information would be useful, or not,
would be greatly appreciated.
I hope I've managed to assuage any fears people had about having to
reindex millions of records.
Phil
Phil Carlisle
Data Standards Supervisor
National Monuments Record Centre
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2GZ
+44 (0)1793 414824
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-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nicholson, Andrew
Sent: 08 June 2006 16:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Multiple Indexing
> When you revisit this, bear in mind what is reasonable.
> 1300 inhumations were recently excavated from a single site in the
> city. This is recorded as a inhimation cemtery. I refuse to create
> additional 1300 records!
>
Likewise for 132 small cairns in a cairnfield.
Andy
Andrew Nicholson
SMR Officer
Planning and Environment (Archaeology)
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Tel: 01387 260154
Fax: 01387 260149
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http://www.dumgal.gov.uk
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