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Draft International Core Data Standard for Archaeological Sites and Monuments

Jan 19, 2006, 19:01








Introduction to the Core Data Standard for Archaeological Sites and Monuments

Introduction to the Draft International Core Data Standard for Archaeological Sites and Monuments

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:

• to facilitate communication between national and international bodies responsible for the
  recording and protection of the archaeological heritage


• to assist countries at an early stage in developing record systems for the recording and
  protection of the archaeological heritage


• to facilitate research utilising archaeological core data where this has an international dimension

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.

Production and availability

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).