For the Record: The Basics of Artifact Cataloging

Описание: Research Intern Cindy Kocik notes some of the basics of artifact cataloging. Cataloging helps those with any kind of collection, from individuals to large institutions, to record information about objects in an organized way, keep track of items and their relationship to one another, and more easily carry out analysis and interpretation.

Here's what the video covers, and some links for further information:

Timecodes
00:00
00:03 – Introduction
01:06 – Why Keep Records?
02:35 – Cataloging Basics
10:05 – Artifact Categories for the Upper Midwest
14:09 – Digital Records
14:54 – Summary and Resources

Related MVAC webpages:
-Acquisitioning Artifacts: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Artifact – What happens to an artifact once an archaeologist finds it?: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/past-cultu...
-Curation: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/process-of...
-Ecofacts: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Fauna: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Fire Cracked Rock (FCR): https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Flakes: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Flora: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Ground Stone Tools: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Lab Analysis Introduction: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/process-of...
-Laboratory Process: Cataloging and Labeling: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/process-of...
-Lithics: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Point Guide: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/past-cultu...
-Pottery: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Provenience: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/educators/...
-Stewardship: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/past-cultu...

Related MVAC videos:
-Archaeology in Winter: Lab Activities – See the “Lab, Analysis, and Write-up” section for another overview of cataloging and how it ties into analysis and writing reports to share information with appropriate parties:    • Archaeology in Winter: Lab Activities  
-Finding and Reporting Sites – Learn more about what archaeologists document at the site level, a key part of the provenience information that goes with an artifact:    • Finding and Reporting Sites  

Other useful resources:
-Caring for and Preserving Your Family Treasures – Page from the Wisconsin Historical Society: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Reco...
-A Citizen’s Guide to Recording Archaeological Finds in Iowa – A great resource for citizen scientists in Iowa: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/...
-Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office – Website for those seeking information on archaeological resources in Minnesota: https://mn.gov/admin/shpo/
-Preservation and Conservation Resources for Cultural Collecting Institutions – List of links to organization websites curated by the Wisconsin Historical Society: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Reco...

Artifact Identification
Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse works mainly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa and can provide information related to that region. If you would like information on artifacts, email a description of the item and where it was found, and attach a picture of the artifact with a scale to show its size. For more information visit MVAC’s website at: https://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/contact/.

For information on other regions, we suggest contacting the appropriate state archaeologist from the following list: https://sites.google.com/view/state-a....