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
All
those may be very useful contacts for you
this
paper especially
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