This section includes information on the way the reports contained in this guide
are organized. It also has some hints on how to use the printed guide more effectively.
The guide is organized according to the categories listed in The Revised Nomenclature
for Museum Cataloging: A Revised and Expanded Version of Robert G. Chenhall's
System for Classifying Man-Made Objects, by James R. Blackaby, et al.
Several museums in Yavapai County have employed Chenhall's system, and
when they did, we generally placed objects in the same categories as the host
institution. However, we occasionally placed items in a category that would
be more consistent with this guide as a whole.
According to the way Chenhall's system is set up, items are listed with
the primary description first, followed by other specifics. For example, one
finds rocking chair under "Chair, rocking." One finds men's military
pants under "Pants, man, uniform." Other specifics are often listed
after that, for example, "Pants, man, uniform, USMC, WWII era." The
last qualification listed for each entry is the name of the museum or facility
in which one can locate the item. We have used initials for repositories using
the first letter of each main word in the repository's name.
Researchers will find the printed guide easier to use if they first familiarize
themselves with the categories, which we have listed below. (Those using web
or CD versions can simply use the "find" function to locate items.)
While familiarity with the categories will help researchers find items more
quickly, we must issue a note of caution. Chenhall's System is very specific
about which items fit into which categories. Despite this specificity, not all
professionals would agree about where to place some items. In addition, the
way items are categorized may not always seem logical to every investigator.
One example is that lamps used in underground mining operations are not listed
under mining; they are listed under "Building: Lighting Device."
Also note that, according to usage in many museums, Native American artifacts
have a separate section, but the categories used are the same as in the more
general section. For example, Native American moccasins would be listed under
"Personal clothing" and more specifically, under "Footwear."
We wish all researchers as many rewards in using the guide as we experienced
in compiling it.
I. Structures
Building
Building Components
Site Feature
Structure, other
II. Building Furnishings
Bedding
Floor covering
Furniture
Household accessory
Lighting device
Plumbing Fixtures
Temperature Control Device
III. Personal artifacts
Personal adornment
Personal clothing
Outerwear
Underwear
Headwear
Footwear
Clothing accessories
Personal gear
Toilet articles
IV: Tools and equipment for materials
Agriculture T&E
Fishing & Trapping T&E
Food processing T&E
Food Service T&E
Forestry T&E
Glass, Plastics & Clayworking T&E
Leather, Horn and Shellworking T&E
Masonry & Stoneworking T&E
Metalworking T&E
Mining T&E
Painting T&E
Textileworking T&E
Woodworking T&E
V. Tools and Equipment for Science and Technology
Acoustical T&E
Armament T&E
Firearm
Edged T&E
Bludgeon
Artillery
Ammunition
Armament, accessory
Biological T&E
Chemical T&E
Construction T&E
Electrical and Magnetic T&E
Maintenance T&E
Mechanical T&E
Medical and Psychological T&E
Merchandising T&E
Meteorological T&E
Nuclear Physics T&E
Optical T&E
Regulative and Protective T&E
Surveying & Navigational T&E
Timekeeping T&E
Weights and Measures T&E
VI: Tools and Equipment for Communication
Data processing
Drafting T&E
Musical T&E
Photographic T&E
Printing T&E
Sound Communication T&E
Telecommunication T&E
Visual communication T&E
Written Communication T&E
VII. Distribution and Transportation Artifacts
Aerospace
Container
Land transportation
Accessory
Animal Power
Motorized
Human power
Rail transportation
Rail transportation accessory
Water transportation
VIII. Communication Artifacts
Advertising
Art
Ceremonial
Documentary artifact
Exchange medium
Personal symbol
IX. Recreational Artifacts
Games
Public entertainment
Recreational device
Sports equipment
Toys
X. Natural formed objects
Mammalia
Plants
INDIAN ARTIFACTS are listed separately, for the most part, and follow
the same categories as those listed above.