This page is an introduction to the Draft International Core Data Standard for Archaeological Sites and Monuments. It is one of a number of pages about museum information standards prepared by the International Committee for Documentation of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-CIDOC ).
This page is part of a draft data standard which defines the minimum categories of information required to assess an archaeological site or monument, for planning, management, academic or other purposes. This page summarises the Draft standard, the full version of which is available on-line in English and French versions.
This core data standard for archaeological sites and monuments has been prepared by two organisations working in close cooperation. The work of CIDOC has been undertaken in close collaboration with archaeological and architectural working parties contributing to the documentation programme of the Council of Europe's Cultural Heritage Committee. The preparation of an international core data standard for archaeological sites was one of the principal aims of the CIDOC Archaeological Sites Working Group established in September 1992 at the CIDOC Quebec meeting.
Between 1987 and 1992 a core data standard was prepared for records of architectural sites and monuments, within the Council of Europe programme created to support the European Convention for the protection of the Architectural Heritage. This architectural data standard was agreed at an international colloque at Nantes in October 1992.
The core data standard for archaeological sites produced by the CIDOC group has retained a close relationship to that prepared for architectural monuments by the Council of Europe in order that countries able or wishing to include all information relating to the historic environment on one database could do so.
The documentation of archaeological sites and monuments plays an essential role in promoting the understanding, conservation and preservation of the archaeological heritage. Within Europe, a wide range of recording methods are employed in the compilation of inventories, often within a national framework. The compilation of these various inventories may have occurred for a variety of different reasons. However, some of these reasons enjoy a more widespread currency, in particular those relating to the protection of the archaeological heritage, and to providing some form of public access to the information held. The aims of this standard are therefore threefold:
The core data standard for archaeological sites has retained a close relationship to that prepared for architectural sites by the Council of Europe. This should be advantageous to countries able or wishing to include in one database all information relating to the man-made environment. This standard can moreover also be linked with a working standard prepared by CIDOC for archaeological objects and with the CIDOC guidelines for museum object information which includes archaeological objects.
The various sections into which the data standard is divided represent the minimum categories of information required to make a reasonable assessment of a monument or site, whether for planning, management, academic or other purposes. In addition, reference can be provided to further information held in databases, document centres and elsewhere which may be necessary for the detailed understanding and care of individual monuments or sites or categories of monument or site.
The draft standard has been produced by CIDOC Archaeological Sites Working Group (1995). Text by Members of Group. Printed version, ISBN 92-9012-125-4.
The printed version is available in various languages from ICOM, Maison de Unesco, 1, Rue Miollis, 75732, Paris, cedex 15 France; tel.: +33 1 47340500; fax: + 33 1 43067862; e-mail: secretariat@icom.org. For 10.00 USD (through credit cards).
The standard is able available on the Web in English and French versions.
Comments should be sent to Henrik Jarl Hansen.
http://cidoc.icom.museum/arch0.htm
revised/dernière mise à jour: 31 December 1997
Original author / Auteur original: Andrew
Roberts
Now maintained by / Maintenant entretenu par:
Leonard Will
link to/passerelle vers CIDOC home page/la page d'accueil du CIDOC or
ICOM home page/la page d'accueil de l'ICOM
© the International Committee for Documentation of the International Council of
Museums/Comité international pour la documentation du Conseil international des
musées (ICOM-CIDOC), 1996