fy c I pO € Comité international poor Ia documentation, consei international des musts Tnteraailonal documentation commie, imernadonal council of midsoums ETHNO WORKING GROUP INTERNATIONAL CorE DATA STANDARDS FOR Erxno.ocy / ETHNOGRAPHY SEPTEMBER 1996 Edited by the CIDOC Etimo Working Group Published by: the International Documentation Commitee of the Intemational Council of Museums Patras University, Greece and ICOM Hellenic National Commitiee - General Sccretariat forthe Research and Technology / Haman Nework for the Diffusion of the Know-how ‘on the Dacumentation of the Ethnogimphical Objects Slovene Ethnegraphie Museum and Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Culture EnglishINTERNATIONAL Core Data STANDARDS FOR EranoLocy / ETHNOGRAPHY Edited by the cIDOC Ethno Working Group ‘Text: Ponolope Theologi-Gouts Alenka Simikit 2diting: Andrew Robects French Translation: Nadine Maquet Proofteading: Angelili Rovatsou Published by: ‘+ the Intemational Documertation Committee of the Intemations! Couneil of Museoms ‘+ Pateas University, Greece and ICOM Hellenic National Committee - General Secretariat far the Resonrch and Technology / Human Network for the Diffusion of the Know-how on the Documentation of the Etbnographical Objects + Stovene Fihogesphic Museum. and Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Coltare First published in September 1996 in printed form, ‘The printed form of the dina Core Duta Standards is aveileble from the following: ICOM Maison del'Unesce 1, Fue Millis SPB Patis 15 France tel +33 | 473405 00 fax 433 14306 78.00 email secretarial @icom.org ICOM Helleric National Commoivee Ag. Assomaton 15 CR 105 53 Athens Greece tel +30 1-323 94 14 Gx +201 323 9414 e-aail peny@eenipatras.gr ‘The electronic version of the £dhio Core Data Standards will be available very soon. ISBN 960-214-012-7 @ International Documentation Commies of the International Council of Muscams (CIDOC), 1996. All right rescrved.ConTENTS Foreword 1, Background Li Introduction. 1.2 The Bthno Working Group Members, _. 2, The Survey 2.1 Questionnaire — semen si sm 2.2 National Co-ordinators for the Survey 2.3 The Survey Analysis... coe 3. The Data Standards 3.1 The Core Data Standards a 3.2 REfIEACES scennncenncnmas smi aod sci u vo BD 23 29 33Foreworp ‘The collections of ethnographical, eitmological and anthropological (‘ethno") museums vary fom country to country and from museum to muscurn. the documentation of ethnogmaphizal, ethnological and amthiopological objects has to acsom- modste these local variations. Most couatiies have an important number of ethno museums and collections, some of whieh, belong to governments while others are private. ‘Documentation is carried out ia cifferent waysincach country and very often for eachethno museum. It depencs on the policy ‘of the govenmment or muscutn, where there is ore, Most small imnscoms document their collections using manval methods, ‘They often use inventories and /or documentation sheels, with goneral fields incorporating froc (ext information. ‘The vatlety of objects and the plurality of cultures makes their classification very difficult. The museums use different ap- proachos to classily their cctlectione, including material, use and production method. The clessification systems depend on the chavacter and the specialization of the museum. Some ettmo museums have developed more complex clessifications, using move than one system, auch an use wad material. ‘The tenminclogy used to document the objectsis one of the most important problems in this field, When museums use manual systems, they tend not (o use contiolled vocabulaiies. A few countties lave developed contvolled vocabularies or thesauri, such ax France and Russia, Most ethno tnoseams develep their own lists of keywords, which cover only their needs. The. terminology for these objects has never been considered In a globall way, in most counties. The translation of existing theseawi would have limited benefit, because the terminology has to take account of loval variations Jn countrias which do not have 4 central documentation poliey and system, co-operation between museums is fess evident Frequently museums develop their own classification systems and lists of keywords as well as computer systems. They vavally work alone or, in the best case, in en-aperation with a small number of ether etfno museums. ‘The need for information about what other museums do and how they confront documentation problems becomes more and mace leat: Its also very important for museuns to collaborate and receive information from museums in other covatties, $0, theneed to develop standards io document ethao objects was evideat before the ereation of the CIDOC Miho Working Giroup.1, BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction “The proposal to establish au Eto Working Group (5G) within the Intevaetional Conumitico for Documentation (ICOM. CIOC) was presented at the fit Harepean Conference of Eihrological and Social History Museums in February 1993 in avis, Dring a sound table with the theme ‘Documentation - For the Public? For the Researcher? How? Hovr much”, the ‘unsolved quostions of the basic ethnological standards and.other prablems in dealing with ethnological documentation were laid out fiom different viewpoints. The need of an improved system of ethnological standauds was defined, “The iden was wunpted at the 1993 CIDOC Conference in Ljubljena, Slovenia, where the inaugural meeting of the PWG took place, I ae aitended by thirteen CIDOCmembers fromten different counties in Burope andthe USA, muscum researchers on European as well 8 aon-Zuropean culares With the eslablishment of tie RWG, the members decided to start work with a project to develop the: International Core Data Standards for Ethnology f Ethnography The future gozls ard a work plan were detesmnined: + setting and doveloping vasic ethnological data standards, which would lead to the documentation of objects that ate pect of the ethaological eultaral hecitage + spplication of the developed ethnological standards at different levels (regional, national and international in order 10 {avfitate and promote communication between differcat bodies ard also to gcin control over the cultural heritage 4+ assis: museums in different countries in developing standard.1.2 The Ethno Working Group Members ‘The following members have joined the EWG ond participated in is activities Ciotoin, Juliana Vitlage Museum, Bucorest Kiseleff 28, sect | 71321 Bucharest Romania fax 40 1 222 9068 Conrenode, Melly North Carolina Museum of History 109 B. Tones st. Raleigh NC27601, USA (21919 913 0200 Cusnir, Lucia Polkeivilisation Msourn, Sibiu Pista Mica 11 2400 Sibia Romania fax 40.6921 20.60 Farnmarzi, Faridoh University of Oslo, Freddikgt, 2 0164 Osta Norway tel 4722 85.99 76 fax 47 92.85.99 60, Frey-Nif, Barbers Bagel Mission, Dept. Archives ‘Missionstr, 21 CH-4003 Basel ‘Switzerland tel 41.61 268 83 09 fax 41 61 268 8268 Frian, Damodar Etnogeafeki muzoj Maturaalcey ug 14 41006 Zagreb Croatia tel 385.1 45.98 544 3851 4550711 fox 385.1 45.50 711 email DamedarFrian@ public.srve.br Giannopoutoe, Mimnika Centre forthe Study of Hipiton 8 ‘Traditional Pouery GR 105 57 Athens Greece (01 30 1 325.0678 fax 30.1324 16 80 Gabi Ine Nepeaszi Buscar Kossut7ter 12 H- 1035 Budapest Mangacy tc136 1 1326340 fax 3611114616 Kableyss, Margot dc, PE 4 KorarMukio, Marija Savaria Museum 9700 Szombathely Hungary fax 36.94 313736 Krug, Mantina ‘Staedt Museum Hann Mueden Schlossplats 5 Da346 Hena Muesen GermaayKovasnik, Flisahoth Lameiras-Campagaolo, Loutaaid, fini Maquet-Dubois, Nadine Mitchell, Roy. Muray, Aime Novak, Viastieit Pitoell, Pri Reta), Andizgj Roberts, Andrew Rovatson, Angeliki ‘Soottish Museums Council Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation ‘Musée de ta vie Wallone Sinithyenian institution ‘The Nadonal Meseun of Ethnography ‘The Naprstele Museum Musce de Homme Mozeum olnogruficrag Krakow Musou ef London The ‘Heicnds of Music Assosiction’, Research Programme for Thrace 20/22 Terphichen St Bdinbugh BA 990, Scotland Fax 44 13129097 28, Rua Goncale Nunes 19-3¢ P..1400 Lisboa Portugal Pi, Vietorins 3 GR 104 34 Athens Greece fax 30 1 883 40 20 Cour des Mineurs 4000 Libge Relgique tel 3241 23 6094 fax 32.41 211035 715 Sixth SiSW ‘Washington DC 20024 USA tel OO! 202 484.31 85 fax O01 202 484 3185 PO. Box 27 140 S-102.52 Sluekhoim Sweden Fax 46 8.66650 70 1 Rethlehom $a, 110.00 Peegue L Czech Republic Fax 422 (2/227 691 17, Place dui Trocadero 75116 Paris France fax 34 147 5305 47 FL, Woluiea 1 Krskow Foland tel 48 12 5628 63 fax 48 12 56.36 12 Losidon Wall EC2Y SHIN London UK (ei 44 171 60036 99 Tnx 44 171 600 10 58 email 7A064. 1142%@compuserve.com Anagaostopoulon 5 GR 10673 Athens Grecee te! 30 136 11 013 fix 30-1 36 11013Simikit, Alenka Soriano, Dotares Sosif, Barhara ‘Ternary, Maret Theologi-Gouti, Penelope ‘Tietmeyer, Hlisebeth Vallioti, Maria Watteync, Damien, 10 Slovenski ctnogralshi mure} Ajantament de Barcelona, Museu Emologic Slovenski elnografsli muuze} Estonian Open Air Museun Patras University Museum file Volkerkonde Pattimoine Cultured, Communauté frangaise de Belgique Presernova 20 $1900 Liubjana Slovenija fax 386 GL. 126-40 88 e-mail Alenka Simikic@ guestames.si Pg, Sta Madrun vn Pare Montiuic, (08038 Barcelona Spain fax 343.423 73 64 PreSecnova 20 61000 Lubna ‘Slovenija fan 38661 126-4958 ‘Vabadhummuseini tee 12 EE 0035 Tallin Estonia tel 372 65.60 230 fax 372 65 60227 25 Martiou and Makedonias GR 265 00 K.Kastrite - Patras Greece tel 30.61 997 283 fax 30 61 994 708 e-mail peny@ce.npatcas.gr Arnimallee 27 14195 Berlin Germany fax 49 30 831 5979 Aghiss Kyriakis GR 211 00 Aria - Nafption Geosce (el 30752 24.490 Brd, Leopold If, 44 1B-1080 Bruxelles Belgium fruc 322413 24 15 32.2419 12962. THe SURVEY 21 Questionnaire ‘To provide the basis for Zhe snternational Core Data Standards for Ethnology / Bthioprapky , the EWG prepared a question- naire to survey the datn standards used in ethnographical, ethnological , anthropological, open aie muscums and other museums having these types of ccllections. ‘The preparation of the questionnaire (with English aud French versions) went through different phases. It mvolved nearly a year of werk by allthe EWG merabere. The question of content, lngth and goals wore diseussed acveral times. The Ques aire was tested before it reached its Firl version amd was ready to be distributed and presented at the CIDOC Conference in ‘Weehington in 1994. . ‘The questionnaite that wsa prepared and distributed io the Nationel Co-ordinstors is preseuted below. SS. cr Dec Comité international pour la documentation, consi inbemtatlonal dea musées Intemational documentation committee, international council of maseums EFHNO WORKING GROUP (Chair: Andrew Roberts, Cambridge Plewse reply to: ‘Vice Chair; Dominique Piot Morin, Pacis Alenka Simikid, Ethno WGChair ‘Secretary: Barbara Lang Rotienberg, Ottawa Slovene Bthmographic Museum ‘Treasurer; Leonard Will, London Pregernova 20, 61909 Ljubljana, Slovenia Eitor Hoaik Jarl Hansen, Copentagen coh de fa #98661 1264088 QUESTIONNAIRE “The aim ofthe questionnaire prepared by the CHDOC Kthno Working Group isto make a survey of the data standanks used in etlogeaphical, cthnologica, anthropological and open air museums and otber museuins and dcpartruents having these types of collections. The common fields will be thebase fora set ofeore data standards which wil be of great help in object information among the above mentioned museums in the Cure. 1, Museum ‘Name of museum ..........- AMES TEL fhe cnn ‘Your of fon 802 snr 2, Collections Ptease record below (if possible) he types of collections (e.g. pottery, photography) held by your muscums, followed by yout estimate of the number of objerts in each collection, How mmmy objects ate there in all ofthe mucous collections? ultype muraher 3. Geographical aspect lense, descaibe the yeoqruphical aspect of your collections, LOE. se regional. — tc ational ene ee se urape.. - on co - other (please, specily). co nnn en - 4.Daes yen Ginsext only ¥) inventory book / register, abject eard ar computer record contain the space for the following informal fila inventory bak object card ‘eomputer record inventory number pievions numbor acquisition namber object name other /local name agined collection (a name for acoflection of items; eg, Darwin collection) classification number of objects partecde description mat twehnical data inscription form /shape 12Field Inventory book object card computer record disnensions production place production = person / corporate body produotion - persoa’s ethnic group oF ealiural group production ~ method / technigee production - date requisition - place acquisition - person ‘Gnformation about the owner) sition - method voser's social position user's ethnie and culture group user's religion user's language fonction use date collection - place collector's name text, multiple entry, optional -CT to be developed Fur inscription mark type + exemple: ‘AM, 1945', embroidered initials and the date on the hom of the skist 3.6 Condition A short deseriotion of the overall condition of the object, including observations on its sibility, blemishes, repairs \d vompleteness at a certain date, + tax, multiple entry, mandatory * exemple: tom and sewn by hand: 1995 mark 4 HISTORY OF THE ONJECT A. set of informstion about the history af the object. SA Production _Aset of information about the history of the objact’s production, Production - place ‘The geographical place where the object was made, (ext, multiple eotry, mandatory) = CT to be developed example: Banstead, Surrey, United Kingdom 4.1.2 Production - person / enparato badly ‘The person, people or organization who produced the cbject., + text, multiple entry, mandatory - CT to be developed + exemple: Alice Peekine (housewife) English 44.3 Production - date ‘The date, date range or petiad when she nbject was produced. + alphanumeric, multiple entry, mandatory + exemate: 1945, 1620-18¢0,1918 century 3t4.14 Production - purpose : “The porpose for which the uiject was produced. = text, ruliple entry, optional - CT to be developed + example: underwear 42. Use ‘A set of information sbout the objeot’s usage a difforent stages ofits history. 4.21 Use- place ‘The geographical place whore the object was wned at d ferent stages of its histony. + text, rmuttiple entry, mandatory « CT te be developed * example: Olo1, Catatonia, Spain 4.22 Use - persan corporate body ‘The perton, people or oxgcnization who used the object at different stages of its history, * text, multiple entry, manietory - CT to be developed + example: Alice Perkins (uouseite} ‘Joan Valls (daughter of the produeet) 423 Use- date ‘The date, date range or petiod when the object was used in different stages of ils history + “alphanumeric, multiple entry, mandatory example: the beginning of 26th century. 1920-1885 424 Use- wey ‘The manner the object was used at different stgzes ofits history. * (ext, multiple entry, mandstory + example: wom under the dress 428 Use- purpose ‘The pinpose for whieh the object was used st in ‘text, mmuiple entry, mandatory - CT to be developed = exnmple: wedding prsient 43. Acquistion Asset of information atout the acquisition of the object by the masenm. ferent stages of its history, 43.41 Acquisition « place ‘The geographical place where the object was acquired. + text, unique, mandatory - CT to be developed # example: Barcelona, Catulonia, Spain 43.2 Acquisition - method ‘The method by which the object was acquired (ext, unique, mancatory - CT to be developed © example: gift 43.3 Acquisition - pecvon Information about the last owner ofthe chject befbre i was acquited by the musear, + tex, unique, mandatory - CT 10 be developed #exarnple: Joan Valls (daughter of fhe producer) 434 Acquisition - date ‘The date (day, mouth, year) when the object was required. + alphemumesic, usique, mandacory + example: 9 May 1995 3243.5 Collector ‘The name of the institution staf member or ether person who collected the object on the smuseun’s behalf + text, unigue, mandatory - CT to be developed + example: John Smith 44° Additional informatton A field comaining information about the object's bistory that cannot be included in other fields (such as distibution, migration ete.) © text, unique, optional RECORDER INFORMATION ‘A fleld contnining lfermation about the person documenting the object ane ihe dat its rocoring $1 Recorder ‘The nante of the person recoding the information + text, muhiplecntey, mandatory - CT 40 be developed * example: Jeanne Brown. 52 Record - date ‘The date of creation of the information about the object. + alphanumeric, multiple entsy, rmnsistory * example: 10.5.1995 6. LOCATION Information sbout the place withi tae natiutien where un object is loested, + text. uiple entry, mandatory - CTto be ceveloped + example: Costume Gallery, room 2 7. REFERENCES Information about the typeof reference and a muanber or cade Tinking the object documentation to sy additional documentation iphoios, drawings, bibliography, cic) + teat, muliplentey, optional + example: Acquisition file 1995.33 32 References National Reports Belgima Nadine Maguct Rotsorane Michael Taylor Bulgaria Mile Santovir Cyprus, E. Egomenidou Denmark Lene Rod Estonit Matet Tansy Forine: Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Peta Namiter Gambia Abdoulie Balyo Greece Penelope Theologi-Cent Ireland Ann Oxtowd Isle of Man any Robinson 33Iscael Rivka Gonen Romania Iulisns Ciotoin Russia Trena Hurgina Stoveria Alenka Simikts. /BarberaScsié Spain Dolores Soriana United Republic of ‘tanzania William Bongo United Kingdon (Wales) Christine Stevens (Ntelandy Orla Russel CADOC International Documentation Commitee, Intemational Coutcil of Museums (CIDOC Data Stanrdant for Fine Arts /Archacoiogy IDOC Core Dota Standard for Archaeological Sites CIDOC International Guidelines for Museum Ohject Information: The CIDOC Information Categories International Comnci of Museums Hunuthook of the AFRICOM Project ‘Musum Documentation Association MDA Data Standard for Musoun Documentation MDA UK Musemn Documentation Standart Canadian Heritage Information Network Humanities Daia Dictionary 34