NISI I Assessment Information Guide

Updated by Sarah Grace Rogers 11/11/2022

Overview

The Assessment process is used to examine the physical artifact and all its components to ensure that all information associated
with the artifact is correct.

BACKGROUND: Assessment Reports are created by pulling information from ICMS and integrating it into the “NISI I
Accession Database_1.2” dummy database. Each Assessment Form within the database corresponds to a directory within ICMS.
However, each site within the NISI I collection has a main directory (the others are duplicates). This means we only need to print
and assess that main directory.

The following table lists each NISI I site in order of Assessment the corresponding NISI I Accession Database_1.2 Accession
Numbers as well as the ICMS directories from which the data came.

The NISI I Accession Database_1.2 Accession Numbers match the ICMS Accession Numbers exactly except for NISI-
00138.360.HF (Main Holmes Fort directory), NISI-00115.358.J (Main Jail directory), and NISI-00116.359.D (Dozier directory);
these accession files had to be named with letter extensions because of the nature of the searching tool within Access.

The table also shows the corresponding State Site number and SEAC and NISI Accession numbers for each site. The Main
Directories are indicated in bold with an asterisk.

Site Name “NISI I Accession Database_1 .2” Corresponding State Site SEAC Accession NISI Accession
Accession Number ICMS Directory Number
NISI-00116.359S* 359S*
Siegeworks 38GN-0003 SEAC-00359 NISI-00116
NISI-00116.356 356
Dozier NISI-00116.359.D* 359* 38GN-0003 SEAC-00359 NISI-00116
Restroom NISI-00118.684* 684* 38GN-0002 SEAC-00684 NISI-00118
NISI-00115.358S* 358S*
Southwest
NISI-00115.3581 3581 38GN-0004 SEAC-00358 NISI-00115
Village
NISI-00115.SWTAGS SWTAGS
NISI-00138.360.HF* 360*
Holmes Fort NISI-00138.3601 3601 38GN-0002 SEAC-00360 NISI-00138
NISI-00138.HTAGS HTAGS
NISI-00115.358.J* 358*
Jail 38GN-0004 SEAC-00358 NISI-00115
NISI-00115.TAGS TAGS

*Main Directory for that Site

ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Assessment is broken into five stages: (1) Cross Referencing, (2) Acquisition Assessment, (3)
Measurement Assessment, (4) Direct Label Assessment, and (5) Field Specimen Number Assessment. The files for Stages 1, 4,
and 5 are on the W Drive and do not have physical documents.

ORGANIZATION: Everything for the Assessment Stage is located on the W Drive in the ASSESSMENT folder of the NISI I
Revitalization folder. The folder is sorted based on the Assessment stage and includes the most up-to-date version of this guide
and an Assessment Progress Report spreadsheet to track movement through the collection.

The physical folders are sorted by site and include the Acquisition Assessment Report and the Measurement Assessment Report.
Each folder features a pink post-it on the front that shows the correct bag format for a site. A second pink post-it is attached to the
front of the Acquisition Assessment Report to detail what artifacts are included.

ACQUISITION ASSESSMENT REPORTS: The “Collection Name” at the top of the assessment report corresponds to the
“NISI I Accession Database_1.2” Accession Number. The “Reported By” and “Date” indicate who pulled the report and when
(all are by Sarah Rogers in late August). Each Assessment Report lists both NISI and TMPA numbers. Only the NISI numbers
need to be assessed.

MEASUREMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT: This is a separate document within each folder that lists non-weight
measurements (caliber and pipestem diameter) since they are not printed in the Acquisition Assessment Report.
 -- NISI I ASSESSMENT PROCESS --

ASSESSMENT STAGE 1- CROSS-REFERENCING: Before beginning assessment, the TMPA and NISI information within
and between directories is cross-referenced to ensure all data and discrepancies are accounted for. These spreadsheets are found
in the STAGE 1 folder in the ASSESSMENT folder under NISI I Revitalization in the W Drive.

1. For each site, the NISI numbers and TMPA numbers from the main directory are paired up based on similar (or exact)
data and compared to make sure all formatting and data matches. Those that do no match are highlighted in light red,
and the specific discrepancy field is highlighted in yellow.
2. The other directories are then compared to the main directory to ensure the entries match correctly (and thus could be
deleted later). They are also color-coded with a key indicating with color represents which site (for example green for
one and blue for the other).
3. These color codes and any notes are indicated in a black text box within each sheet.

ASSESSMENT STAGE 2- ACQUISITION ASSESSMENT REPORT: This involves checking information that was
integrated into the NISI I Accession Database_1.2 and pulled as Acquisition Reports specifically for assessment. The Acquisition
Reports were printed for main directories and organized into their physical files, but the NISI I Accession Database_1.2,
Formatted Spreadsheets and Integration Guide, and Acquisition Assessment Reports can be found in the STAGE 2 folder in the
ASSESSMENT folder under NISI I Revitalization in the W Drive.

Check the following for each artifact:

1. Access Acquisition Report

a. NISI (catalog) number
i. Check that the artifact, Assessment Report, bag, and tag match.
ii. Make a note if anything is incomplete/incorrect.
b. Description
i. Read through to make sure the description matches across the Assessment Report, bag, and tag.
ii. Make a note if anything is incomplete/incorrect.
c. Count
i. Cross out the incorrect count and write the correct count.
ii. Soil, etc. does not need count.
d. Weight
i. Note even small differences.
ii. Use a scale and update the number in grams to the hundredths place.
iii. For large differences in weight, cross out the original and write the correct beside it.
e. Stability
i. Are metals in microenvironments? Do they have cotton tags? Are their bags hole-punched?
1. If yes, it is stable.
ii. NOTE that NISI does not require tissue paper.
f. Artifact needs
i. Most artifacts will just need new bag labels and updated tag information (which corresponds to
ICMS data).
ii. Bags (3)
1. The correct format and numbers for each site are written on the site assessment folders as
well as at the end of this guide.
2. Most all bags will need to be updated to display the correct formatting even if the
information is correct. Make a note on the first page of the Assessment Report to
highlight this for an entire site if you see that trend (then you do not have to note it for
every artifact).
3. If there are other issues, such as a written-over SEAC number, or incorrect/incomplete
information, circle (3) and write a note specifically for that artifact as to what is wrong or
incorrect.
4. Check the bags against the artifact, Assessment Report, and tags to make sure the
information matches.
a. Note anything is incomplete/incorrect.
5.
iii. Tags (4)
 1. This information corresponds to ICMS, but it may need to be updated for all artifacts and
reprinted anyway.
2. Note any incomplete/incorrect information and circle (4) for them.
g. Condition
i. Most metals are rusty (C), and some are crumbly (A).
h. Notes on anything; more is better.
i. Written-over or blurred (partially-illegible) SEAC number
ii. Direct Labels
1. Note the type of direct label and if it was completed by Waring or SCIAA:
a. NISI tag or B-72 label (by Waring)
b. Site and Unit number in ink and/or whiteout (by SCIAA)
c. None
iii. Any other incorrect/incomplete information. Specify; if you need more space, attach some paper to
the assessment report and write your notes there.

ASSESSMENT STAGE 3- MEASUREMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT: This is where non-weight measurements need to be
assessed. This is a separate document from the Acquisition Assessment Report and is included in the physical file, however the
original spreadsheets that the document is based upon are in the STAGE 3 folder in the ASSESSMENT folder under NISI I
Revitalization in the W Drive.

Measure the following:

1. Caliber
a. Bullets, shots, musket balls
b. Measured in inches
2. Interior Pipestem Diameters
a. Use a drill bit or chart
b. Measured in 64ths of an inch

ASSESSMENT STAGE 4- DIRECT LABEL ASSESSMENT: This stage involves examining how each artifact is direct-
labeled and if the label is correct and complete.

1. The Direct Label Assessment spreadsheets are created from the ICMS list of NISI numbers.
2. First, check if the artifact is a metal. This helps us understand why there are certain NISI labels later much more easily.
3. Labels for each artifact may have been completed by SCIAA (South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and
Anthropology) and Waring Lab; some may not have been direct-labeled by Waring yet.
4. SCIAA Labels
a. SCIAA typically displays the Unit Number and the Site Number. Sometimes, they also specify the FS
Number with the Unit Number. This may be written on the original field tag that is included in the bag with
the artifact; it may be written directly on the artifact with ink or ink and whiteout/white paint.
b. When noting the type of SCIAA label, find the column that corresponds to the type of label it is; then, write
exactly what is written (i.e., 38GN4, U9).
c. Check whether this information matches the information on the printed tags and bags for the lab.
d. Write any notes, and specify any issues.
5. Waring Labels
a. Waring Labels should always be completed with B72 and Ink; B72, ink, and white paint; or an archival tag.
Regardless, these will be the assigned NISI numbers.
b. Find the column that corresponds to the type of label, and write what is written (i.e., NISI 6574).
c. Check that this information matches the bag and tag.
d. Write any notes, and specify any issues.
6. This information is filled out in the Direct Label Assessment sheets for each site and color-coded based on issues and
patterns seen. These color codes are:
a. Light Red (Pink) Highlight = direct label does not match the bag, tag, or original provenience
b. Light Blue Highlight = incomplete number of labels (should be all up to 3 artifacts in a bag)
c. Light Yellow Highlight = difficult to read information
d. Bright RED Highlight = missing artifacts
e. Light Green Highlight = complete and correct label information
f. Dark green = need to re-assess
g. Gold Highlight = Extras from other directories other than the Main Directory for that site
ASSESSMENT STAGE 5- FIELD SPECIMEN ASSESSMENT: This stage involves taking information from original
documents and comparing it with the artifact’s direct label and associated information (bag and tag) to assess the accuracy of the
assigned FS Numbers. The stage is often completed along with Direct Label Assessment.

1. Many artifacts are SCIAA-labeled with the Unit Number. The Unit Number corresponds to the first number in the FS
Number. If not directly labeled, the field tag in the artifact bag should have the unit written on it.

2. Original Documents include: Artifact Catalogs, Feature Records, Triangulation Forms, Field Specimen Data Sheets,
etc. are used to list the original excavation units, numbers, and descriptions of artifacts. This is used to cross-reference
the FS (Unit) Numbers on artifact direct labels, bags, and ICMS tags.

a. The physical artifacts are then coordinated with this data, listing the NISI number, description, and FS
Number.
3. When Assessing the Field Specimen Numbers:
a. The information from original documents is added first:
i. Unit/FS Number
ii. Number
iii. Description
iv. Locus/Direction
b. Each artifact is examined for its label, tag, and bag information; the following information from the physical
artifact is entered into the spreadsheet:
i. the corresponding NISI Number
ii. The corresponding NISI Description
iii. Corresponding FS Number
c. Any notes or observations should be added to specify details.
4. This information is added into a spreadsheet with the following Color Codes:
a. Light Yellow Highlight = description or count does not match Original Field Specimen Data Sheets
b. Light Red (Pink) Highlight = extra artifacts that do not fall under the Original Field Specimen Data Sheets
c. Light Blue = could possibly fall under that Unit
d. Green = all information matches
e. Gray = handwritten field specimen sheets (mostly correlate to typed)
f. Gray with Red text = notated in handwritten field specimen sheets but not on the typed version
 Bag Label Format (General)

NISI Catalog Number

NISI Accession Number
SEAC Accession Number
Site Number
FS Number
(count) Description

Bag Format by Site

Siegeworks Dozier Cemetery Restroom and Septic Tank

NISI #### NISI #### NISI ####
NISI-00116 NISI-00116 NISI-00118
SEAC-00359 SEAC-00359 SEAC-00684
38GN-0003 38GN-0003 38GN-0002
#-#-# #-#-# #-#-#
(x) DESCRIPTION (x) DESCRIPTION (x) DESCRIPTION

Southwest Village Holmes Fort Jail

NISI #### NISI #### NISI ####
NISI-00115 NISI-00138 NISI-00115
SEAC-00358 SEAC-00360 SEAC-00358
38GN-0004 38GN-0002 38GN-0004
#-#-# #-#-# #-#-#
(x) DESCRIPTION (x) DESCRIPTION (x) DESCRIPTION