Database Glossary

The comprehensive artifact database is composed of two tables (titled ArtifactCatalog and ContextRecords), developed by combining data from the artifact and context tables in the 18 submitted databases.

The list below describes the fields in the tables in the comprehensive database. Beside each field is a parenthetical list of the sites which used these fields. Technical descriptions of the database fields (size and data type) are provided on the Database Fields page.

For those who download the original databases rather than the comprehensive one, note that the original field names are retained there and thus are more variable. The general meaning of the field can be gleaned from inspecting the data, but if necessary please contact the individual or individuals listed on the Site Summary page for further explanation.

ArtifactCatalog

KeyID (ALL): Arbitrary record number used for linking with other tables.

Site (ALL): The official state site number.
SiteName (ALL): Site name
ContextNumber (ALL): An arbitrary number often assigned by the original collection repository. The context number creates a relationship between the artifact and provenience information. The number often is given as a Lot number or Excavation Unit number.
MacCordLot (CAM): Lot number assigned to Howard MacCord excavation unit by Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR).
Count (ALL): Number of fragments.
WeightOz (BURL, CHALK, CHAN, HOMEW): The weight of the artifacts identified, in ounces.
WeightG (BENPT, COMPT, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX, POSEY, RN): The weight of the artifacts identified, in grams.
Material (ALL): The composition material of the artifact: Ceramic, Faunal, Floral, Glass, Lithic, Metal, Pottery, Sample, Stone, Synthetic, and Unidentified.
ClassTemper (ALL): Further defines the type of material the artifact is composed of (i.e., Metal/Iron).
ObjectType (ALL): Description of the artifact.
Element (ALL): The part of the whole object that the artifact represents.
TechWare (ALL): The manufacturing method used or ceramic typology.
SubTechWare (ALL): Further identification of Tech/Ware, often showing nationality of origin of the object (i.e., Pipe, White Clay/Dutch, or Tin Glaze/Majolica). This field was created in order to retain the original typology defined by the original collection repository.
Glaze (ALL): Type and color of glaze.
Paste (ALL): Paste, fabric, or body of ceramic; includes color of brick paste if identified.
SurfaceTreatment (ALL): Treatment to the surface of pottery during the manufacturing of the object, such as Cord-marked.
Decoration (ALL): Manufacture technique and decorative design if applicable.
Color (ALL): Color of the object, not of design, such as Aqua colored Glass.
VarietyAttributes (ALL): Type or variety of the object (i.e., (Button) Two Hole, or (Nail) Spatula Tip). Also defines the attributes of the object (i.e., (Lithic) Cortex, (Flint) European, and Projectile Point Typology).
BoreDiameter (ALL): Diameter of tobacco pipe stem bore.
MarkType (ALL): Mark type.
MakersMarks (ALL): Description of a maker’s mark, be it initials or a design that is known to belong to a particular maker. Any additional comments can be found in Remarks.
Taxonomy (ALL): Further information pertaining to the species of the faunal artifact represented in the Object field (i.e., (Mammal) Pig).
Dimensions (ALL): The dimensions and any information pertaining to the dimensions of the object.
Condition (ALL): The condition of the object.
Remarks (ALL): Any information not applicable to any of the above fields or elaboration of information found in other fields.

ContextRecords

KeyID (ALL): Arbitrary record number used for linking with other tables.
Site (ALL): The official state site number.
SiteName (ALL): Site name.

ContextNumber (ALL): An arbitrary number often assigned by the original collection repository. The context number creates a relationship between the artifact and provenience information. The number often is given as a Lot number or Excavation Unit number.
DepositType (ALL): Field used to standardize context descriptions.

ShortTitle (ALL): Field used to standardize context descriptions.
ContextDescription (BUCK, CG8, CLIFTS, RN): Original context description.
CenterX (ALL EXCEPT SANDYS): East coordinate used for distribution mapping, derived by determining the center point of the excavation unit.
CenterY (ALL EXCEPT SANDYS): North coordinate used for distribution mapping, derived by determining the center point of the excavation unit.
GridNorthCoord (CG8, RN): Value of the northwest corner coordinate of the excavation unit in meters from arbitrary datum.
GridEastCoord (CG8, RN): Value of the northwest corner coordinate of the excavation unit in meters from arbitrary datum.
NorthingY (BUCK, BURL, CHALK, CHAN, HOMEW, SANDYS): North coordinate.
EastingX (BUCK, BURL, CHALK, HOMEW, SANDYS): East coordinate.
HorizLoc (COMPT, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Hoizontal location.
ExcavationUnit (BENPT, MATTA, BURL, CHALK, CHAN, CLIFTS): Excavation unit number.
FeatureNumber (HOMEW, JJ): Feature number.
StratLevel (CAM, JJ): Stratigraphic level.
Provenience (BENPT, COMPT, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX, POSEY): General provenience.
Area (MATTA, POSEY): Site area or portion .
UnitSize (CG8, RN, SANDYS): Unit size.
SizeMultiple (CLIFTS): Multiplication factor used to standardize differing excavation unit sizes.
SCNumber (CHALK): Surface collection identification number.

SCLetter (CHALK): Surface collection identification letter.
MacCordUnit (CAM): Unit number used in Howard MacCord excavation.
MacCordAccNumber (CAM): Accession number used in Howard MacCord excavation.
JPPMLot (RN): Lot designation assigned by Catherine Alston (Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum) for standardization of artifact distribution.
JPPMDistributionMap (RN): Lot designation assigned by Catherine Alston (Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum) for standardization of artifact distribution. Used in artifact distribution mapping?
ExcavationMethod (BUCK, CG8, RN): Excavation method.
ScreenType (CG8): Screen type.
FeatureType (CG8, RN): Feature type.
BasinType (CG8, RN): Basin type (for features).
TemporalPeriod (RN): Period of deposition.
ContextType (CG8): Context type.
Remarks (BUCK, CHAN, HOMEW, PATUX, RN): Comments.
ExcavatorsNotes (CG8, RN): Excavator's notes.
SupervisorsNotes (RN): Supervisor's notes.
ContextLater (BUCK, CG8, RN): Context number of the stratigraphically immediately later context.
ContextEarlier (BUCK, CG8, RN): Context number of the stratigraphically immediately earlier context.
TPQ (CG8, RN): Terminus post quem date.
PlanShape (CG8, RN): Plan shape.
ProfileShape (CG8, RN): Profile shape.
SoilType (BUCK, CG8, RN): Soil type.
SoilTexture (BUCK, CG8, RN): Soil texture.
MunsellColor (BUCK, CG8, RN): Munsell soil color.
Length (RN): Length of feature in cm.
Width (RN): Width of feature in cm.
Depth (RN): Depth of feature in cm.
XCoord (CG8): East coordinate of piece-plotted artifact.
YCoord (CG8): North coordinate of piece-plotted artifact.
ZCoord (CG8): Depth of piece-plotted artifact.
ExcavatedBy (BENPT, BUCK, CG8, COMPT, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX, POSEY, RN, SANDYS): Person excavating the context.
ExcavatedDate (BENPT, CG8, COMPT, HOMEW, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX, POSEY, RN): Date context was excavated.

ArtifactCounts

SiteAbbrev (ALL): Abbreviation of site name.
SiteName (ALL): Site name
WCTP 10-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 10/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 9-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 9/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 8-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 8/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 7-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 7/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 6-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 6/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 5-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 5/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP 4-64 (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, 4/64 inch bore diameter
WCTP Total (ALL): White clay tobacco pipes, all
Terra Cotta Tobacco Pipes (ALL): Terra cotta tobacco pipes
Case Bottle Fragments (ALL): Case bottle fragments
Wine Bottle Fragments (ALL): Wine bottle fragments
Bottle Glass Total (ALL): Bottle glass fragments, total
Tin-Glazed Earthenware (ALL): Tin-glazed earthenware
North Devon Sgraffito (ALL): North Devon sgraffito
North Italian Slipware (ALL): North Italian slipware
Staffordshire Slipware (ALL): Staffordshire slipware
North Devon Gravel-Tempered Earthenware (ALL): North Devon gravel-tempered earthenware
North Devon Gravel-Free Earthenware (ALL): North Devon gravel-free earthenware
Borderware (ALL): Borderware
Buckley-type (ALL): Buckley-type earthenware
Rhenish Blue and Gray Stoneware (ALL): Rhenish blue and gray stoneware
Rhenish Brown Stoneware (ALL): Rhenish brown stoneware
Rhenish Stoneware Unidentified (ALL): Rhenish stoneware, unidentified
English Brown Stoneware (ALL): English brown stoneware
White Salt-Glazed Stoneware (ALL): White salt-glazed stoneware
Porcelain (ALL): Porcelain
Ceramics Total (ALL): Ceramic fragments, total
Food Drink Storage (ALL): Food and Drink Storage category
Food Drink Preparation (ALL): Food and Drink Preparation category
Food Drink Consumption (ALL): Food and Drink Consumption category
Ceramics Native American Late Woodland (ALL): Late Woodland (Native American) ceramics
Wrought Nails (ALL): Wrought nails
Window Cames (ALL): Window cames
Locking Mechanisms (ALL): Locking mechanisms
Keys Key Hole Covers (ALL): Keys and key hole covers
Gun Parts Ammunition (ALL): Gun parts and ammunition
Armor Weaponry (ALL): Armor and weaponry
Horse Furniture (ALL): Horse furniture
Personal Adornment (ALL): Personal adornment artifacts
Clothing Sewing Items (ALL): Clothing and sewing items
Recreational Material (ALL): Recreational material
Spoons Forks Knives (ALL): Spoons, forks, and knives
Home Beautification Count (ALL): Home beautification artifacts
Home Beautification Weight Grams (BURL): Home beautification artifacts, weight in grams
Bone Refuse Count (ALL): Bone refuse, fragments
Shell Refuse Count (ALL): Shell refuse, fragments
Roofing Tile Count (ALL): Roofing tiles, fragments
Flooring Tile Count (ALL): Flooring tiles, fragments
Yellow Brick Count (ALL): Yellow brick, fragments
Red Brick Count (ALL): Red brick, fragments
Brick Total Count (ALL): Brick, fragments
Bone Refuse Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Bone refuse, weight in grams
Shell Refuse Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Shell refuse, weight in grams
Roofing Tile Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Roofing tiles, weight in grams
Flooring Tile Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Flooring tiles, weight in grams
Yellow Brick Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Yellow brick, weight in grams
Red Brick Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Red brick, weight in grams
Brick Total Weight Grams (BENPT, BURL, CHALK, KR, MATTA, OCF, PATUX): Brick, weight in grams
Bone Refuse Weight Oz (HOMEW): Bone refuse, weight in ounces
Shell Refuse Weight Oz (HOMEW): Shell refuse, weight in ounces
Roofing Tile Weight Oz (HOMEW): Roofing tiles, weight in ounces
Flooring Tile Weight Oz (HOMEW): Flooring tiles, weight in ounces
Yellow Brick Weight Oz (HOMEW): Yellow brick, weight in ounces
Red Brick Weight Oz (HOMEW): Red brick, weight in ounces
Brick Total Weight Oz (HOMEW): Brick, weight in ounces

Sites: BENPT = Bennett's Point; BUCK = Reverend Buck; BURL = Burle's Town Land; CAM = Camden; CHALK = Chalkley's; CHAN = Chaney's Hills; CLIFTS = Clifts Plantation; CG8 = Carter's Grove Site CG-8; COMPT = Compton; HOMEW = Homewood's Lot; JJ = Jordan's Journey; KR = King's Reach; MATTA = Mattapany; OCF = Old Chapel Field; PATUX = Patuxent Point; POSEY = Posey; RN = Rich Neck; SANDYS = Sandys