It is true that, for retrieval purposes, it would be useful to have one or
two further levels in the thesaurus!
-----Original Message-----
From: martin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 20 February 2003 11:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [FISH] Evidence term
Hello Ron, Edmund,
Just an opinion from an outsider:
If such a thing has the nature of both, then it seems to me:
It is neither required nor useful to classify the trackbed with one term.
Terms in a database
are for retrieval, not for a scientific dispute. If one is not clear, which
term to use, no one
else can later guess, what the decision was. Consequently, half of the
queries will fail.
For me, this means that we MUST use both terms, it is not a matter of
choice.
The other thing this discussion tells me, is, that the Thesaurus is missing
an appropriate generalization.
All those things fall in the CIDOC CRM under Man-Made Feature, for instance.
Best,
Martin
Lee, Edmund wrote:
> Hello Ron,
>
>
>
> The scope note for Earthwork in the NMR Evidence Thesaurus (available
> via the INSCRIPTION pages at www.fish-forum.info
> <http://www.fish-forum.info> ) reads...
>
>
>
> 'Evidence consists of upstanding earth mounds, ditches, artificial
> watercourses or low stone built features.'
>
>
>
> For Structure the scope note reads...
>
> 'Evidence consists of an above-ground artificial structure, originally
> designed without roof or walls.'
>
>
>
> My first instinct is that earthwork seems the better term (sorry
> Thomas!). I think this gives a better feel for e.g. the sort of causeway
> or embankment that often accompanies the track bed. However its a
> judgement call - I'd say the most important thing is to be consistent. I
> associate Structure more with walls, standing stones, memorials, street
> furniture etc.
>
>
>
> Of course this assumes that the evidence here is 'physical' evidence. It
> isn't possible to simply say 'the evidence for X type of monument is
> always 'Y'' as it depends on what the circumstances are. For example, in
> the absence of a field visit, or if the site has been entirely
> destroyed, a railway may only be known from documentary sources (e.g. a
> map).
>
>
>
> Edmund Lee
> Forum Co-ordinator
> Forum on Information Standards in Heritage
>
> --------------------------------------------
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> ... its that easy!
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>
>
>
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