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Dear David Thanks very much for that information. I organised a session at this year's IFA conference and Trevor and Peter presented a paper there, but I hadn't heard about the RCAHMS workshop - I'll chase that up.. Jane From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of BAJRWebsite.ORG Sent: 19 July 2008 09:21 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Artefacts, GIS and HERs not able to help with data... but am interested in your study. I went to the brilliant RCAHMS workshop on Artefacts, Records, Monuments and Sites http://centenary.rcahms.gov.uk/workshop3/index.html All those may be very useful contacts for you this paper especially Mapping material culture: exploring the interface between museum artefacts and their geographical context Trevor Cowie & Peter McKeague In general, catalogues of Scottish museum collections concentrate on the description and classification of the objects held in their trust, the circumstances of their acquisition and their physical location within the museum displays or stores. Geographic details, even at the basic level of national grid references or administrative areas (whether historic counties and parishes or current Council areas) tend to be recorded inconsistently or not at all. While museum databases may therefore function well as collection management tools, their full potential is not being realised. The National Museums Scotland (NMS) holds the principal collection of archaeological artefacts from Scotland. Here too, research and management of the collection is currently constrained by incomplete or absent location-based information. NMS is therefore seeking to improve its information relating to geographical locations and site context and by doing so, to complement the CANMORE database of archaeological sites held by the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). The core of this paper will describe the results of a recent pilot project undertaken by NMS and RCAHMS with the aim of addressing some of these problems. The MAGI (Museum Artefact Geographical Interface) project has started to explore the huge potential for re-connection of objects in museum collections with the location of their discovery. As well as illustrating the scope of the project, the paper will touch on some of the issues raised by the pilot study, ranging from the presentation of information to a broad audience while retaining academic rigour, through to adherence to national standards, and inevitably, questions of resourcing and sustainability. However, at its heart lies the potential for the creation of a national inventory of Scottish artefacts by extending the partnership to embrace the Scottish archaeological community as a whole. David Connolly British Archaeological Jobs Resource BAJR - www.bajr.org Traprain House Luggate Burn Whittingehame East Lothian EH41 4QA T: 01620 861643 M 0787 6528 498 E [log in to unmask] Archaeology for All! This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. Use outwith this may be unlawful. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.3/1563 - Release Date: 20/07/2008 12:59