In cataloging artefacts, various code schemes are frequently used for computer entry. While one of the early purposes of these, to minimize space in computer files, has been made redundant by cheap very large disk storage, the codes are still commonly used to expedite data entry for computer processing. The code scheme used by the London Museum of Archaeology has become something of a de facto standard being used by avocational archaeologists as well as consultants. As any move to greater standardization is a good thing, we present here with the kind permission of the London Museum of Archaeology, the most current version of the codes. Further as the London Museum of Archaeology is the natural spot for final disposition of any artefactual material from the London area, use of the museum's codes will facilitate encorporation to the existing collections.
The Museum's catalog system/code was initially conceived by Bill Finlayson for his research in the Crawford Lake area in the early 1970s, and formalized for the Museum's Draper site project in 1975. A full description of the system and procedures for cataloging is contained in an Appendix to Bill's Draper site report (The 1975 and 1978 Rescue Excavations at the Draper Site: Introduction and Settlement Patterns, National Museum of Man Mercury Series Paper 130, 1985) and this publication should be used as a reference. The code is very flexible and can easily be changed/modified to meet specific needs or characteristics of the site being cataloged.
While the codes are detailed below, the following file is made available in DBASE format and can be imported into most newer word processors or spreadsheets to be printed or used as you see fit.
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