Modelling the Past Within HERs

Modelling the Past Within HERs

A model is a representation of some aspect of reality. The purpose of creating a model is to help understand, describe, or predict how things work in the real world by exploring a simplified representation of a particular entity or phenomenon. This section describes the issues that need to be considered in modelling the information held by an HER.

The core categories of information held by an HER are monuments (heritage assets), events and sources, as set out in MIDAS Heritage. Equal status needs to be given to each of these record types. Monuments and events should be mapped.

  • Monuments: our current understanding of the nature of the historic environment, summarised into monument records. Our understanding of these may change over time as new information becomes available or existing information is re-interpreted.
  • Events: the means by which we have arrived at that understanding through investigation. Event records show where, how, when and by whom information has been gathered.
  • Sources: the origin of the information from which monument and event records are created. Source records show where information was obtained from and where it can be accessed in detail, either within the HER or by reference to a source of information held elsewhere.

Together, these form the ‘Monument-Event-Source’ model upon which all HERs should be based.

In the past many HERs have placed more emphasis on monument records, with these being seen as the key component of an HER. Additionally, monument record numbers have sometimes been used as reference numbers when depositing archaeological archives and/or for referring to items within the HER’s reference collection. Where monuments have been the dominant unit of record, considerable work is usually required to redress the balance and ensure that the event and source records are enhanced to ensure equal status. Additionally, business processes may require re-engineering to ensure that archive material is referred to using event UIDs, and that reference material is referred to using source UIDs.

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Child Articles (7)
  • Monuments

    Monuments Monuments vary widely in their nature, date, function and form. The legal definition included in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 is as follows: any building,...

  • Events

    Events Two definitions are relevant for events and it is best practice to use both: MIDAS defines a diverse range of activities as events, all involving the collection of information or judgements...

  • Sources

    Sources The term source covers all the materials which provide information about monuments and events. They form the evidence-base from which other records are derived and they allow users to trace...

  • Finds (Artefacts and Ecofacts)

    Finds (Artefacts and Ecofacts) Although finds are not included in the monument-event-source HER data model, it is widely acknowledged that artefacts and ecofacts comprise a significant component in...

  • Curatorial Datasets

    Curatorial Datasets One of the key purposes of an HER is as a reference tool to inform curatorial advice. In many HER databases additional categories of records are created as part of the...

  • Derived Datasets

    Derived Datasets In some areas, HER data is used to generate new information and datasets which may or may not be integrated into the HER database. These are known as derived datasets or derived...

  • HER Reference Collections

    HER Reference Collections In addition to the HER database and GIS, most HERs hold a reference collection. HER reference collections can include material in both digital and non-digital formats...