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 The National Zooarchaeological Reference Resource (NZRR) Workshop 2:
Filling in the gaps

20 June, 10.30–15.30, University of York

Dear all

A reminder that the deadline for registering for our second workshop on
developing a National Zooarchaeological Reference Resource (NZRR) is *8
June*. If you would like to attend this free workshop, please contact David
Orton *[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>* or Eva Fairnell
[log in to unmask], providing us with your name, affiliation, email
address and any specific interests. Further details about the day will then
be sent to you. A small fund is available to help with travel costs for
those who would otherwise struggle to attend: priority will be given to
those without access to alternative sources of funding.

The first phase of the resource, a searchable interface to the holdings of
relevant, participating reference collections held by universities,
museums, public bodies and private individuals, will soon be available via
the Archaeology Data Service (ADS). In order to maximise the usefulness of
this resource for zooarchaeologists and other end-users, the planned
workshop will review the distribution of specimens represented in the
physical collections so far, discuss the need for any digital reference
resources, and consider broader strategies for developing and sustaining an
online national collection.



Questions and issues to be discussed will include the following.

·         What gaps exist in the distribution of species within the
submissions so far (bearing in mind some further submissions are likely)?

·         What strategies could be used to co-ordinate finding the
specimens to fill in those gaps?

·         Which anatomical elements are priorities for digitisation?

·         Which formats would be most useful to end-users, for example 3D
scans or 2D images, as downloadable pdfs or an on-screen interface?

·         How might the establishment of a digital reference collection
best be funded?

·         In the longer term, could the NZRR be developed further by being
affiliated, for example, with a body like the AEA or ICAZ?

·         In the longer term, could or should the NZRR consider going
international, and/or could the on-line model be used for collections other
than vertebrates? How could such a development be funded?

This workshop will not focus on how best to carry out any digitisation, but
rather on gathering views from across all sectors about what digital
resources are needed. The outcomes from the workshop can then be used as a
basis from which to target further development of the NZRR. We encourage
anyone with a potential interest in this resource to come along and share
their views. Information on the first workshop, which informed the
development of the ADS interface, is available via
https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/heritage-science/Building-a-National-Zooarchaeological-Reference-Resource/
.

Many thanks

David Orton and Eva Fairnell