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3 |
EDITORIAL RULES |
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3.1 |
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Hierarchical Relationships
Included in this chapter
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3.1.1 |
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Parents (required) |
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3.1.1.1 |
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Definition
The broader context(s) for the concept record; parents
refer to Hierarchical Relationships, which are broader/narrower,
reciprocal relationships between records. |
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3.1.1.2 |
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Fields
- 1. Parent: The parent_key
is the numeric Subject ID of the preferred parent (e.g.,
100001). The records for the child and parent are linked
by their ID in Getty Vocabulary data.
In the Vocabulary Program workflow, the parent is chosen before a new record is added or loaded. No concept record may exist without a parent; however, children may be placed under a temporary parent while candidate records are processed.
- 2. Preferred Parent
Flag: Indicates if this is the preferred parent or a
non-preferred parent for the concept record. Each concept may have only one preferred
parent. Values are P[referred] and N[on-preferred]. As with other flags for "preferred" in the Getty Vocabulary data, the preferred flag for parent designates a default link that may be used for displays or easy access. Generally, all parents in the polyhierarchy should be equal for retrieval.
- 3. Parent String:
A display formed by concatenating the descriptor
of the immediate parent, and other ancestors. The Parent String is used to give
context to the concept's descriptor in horizontal displays
(as opposed to vertical, hierarchical displays) (e.g., in
parentheses in this example: Red-figure (Greek vase painting
styles, Aegean pottery styles …)).
- Example:
- [from the VCS Subject Edit window for Red-figure]
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3.1.1.3 |
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Values
Values are concatenated automatically by the system, using
the preferred name, qualifier (if any), and appropriate indentation. |
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3.1.1.4 |
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Sources: Warrant for hierarchical
placement
Given that the hierarchical placement of concepts is idiosyncratic
and specialized to the AAT, published and other sources do
not provide warrant for hierarchical placement. Using precedent
in the AAT, place the concept records in accordance with the internal
logic and history of the AAT. Contributed records may be repositioned in the hierarchy by the Getty Vocabulary editors. |
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3.1.1.5 |
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Discussion
In the Getty Vocabularies, each record is linked to its immediate
parent by means of a numeric ID. The hierarchy is constructed
through these links.
- The hierarchy in the AAT refers to the method
of structuring and displaying the concept records within
their broader contexts. Facets, levels called "Hierarchies,"
and levels called "Guide Terms" (published with
angled brackets), provide logical structure to the hierarchies.
Relationships in the hierarchy are indicated with indentation.
Most hierarchical relationships in the AAT represent
genus/species relationships (as opposed to whole/part
or instatial relationships). The AAT is polyhierarchical,
meaning that concepts can belong to more than one parent.
Hierarchical relationships are referred to by genealogical
terms: child, children, siblings, parent, grandparent,
ancestors, descendents, etc.
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3.1.1.5.1 |
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Hierarchy display
In any system, it is critical to have sufficient views of the hierarchies to allow editorial work and to examine how the end user will see the hierarchical display. Hierarchical displays are constructed using the subject_id for the immediate parent of the child record.
- Root of the hierarchy: AAT root, named Top
of the AAT hierarchies, is the highest level of the
hierarchy (the so-called root). The facets
are located directly below the Root. Each facet has one
or more levels known as "Hierarchies" (a legacy designation, with initial capital letter; not to be confused, given that the entire structure is also referred
to as being constructed of "hierarchies").
- Hierarchical displays should be automatically generated by using the preferred
term, the qualifier (if any), links to immediate parents, and links to other
ancestors. Indentation is used to indicate the broader/narrower contexts (generally genus/species
relationships in AAT). In the example above, Red-figure is
the immediate parent of Florid Style, and
Greek vase painting styles is an ancestor
(the grandparent). All of the concepts below Red-figure
are its children, and they are siblings to
each other.
- The AAT hierarchy has many levels of depth. In order to allow users to understand the relationships, it is advised that
the display usually shows only the first level below the
target record, but shows all levels above it.
- An indicator, usually a symbol, should be used to indicate where more levels may
be visible. A user could click on the symbol (a plus sign in VCS in the example) to view the children
under any level. In another example, in the online display for the Getty Vocabularies, the user would click on the hierarchy-tree
symbol.
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3.1.1.5.2 |
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Major Subdivisions: Facets and hierarchies
Facets constitute the major subdivisions of the AAT
hierarchical structure. A facet contains a homogeneous class
of concepts, the members or children of which share
characteristics that distinguish them from members of other
classes. For example, marble refers to a substance
used in the creation of art and architecture, and it is found
in the Materials facet. Impressionist denotes
a visually distinctive style of art, and it is found in the
Styles and Periods facet.
» List of Facets and Hierarchies in the AAT
The so-called "Hierarchies" are arranged within
the eight facets of the AAT. The facets are conceptually
organized in a scheme that proceeds from abstract concepts
to concrete, physical artifacts. A broader term provides
an immediate class or genus to a concept, and serves to
clarify its meaning. The narrower term is always a type
of, kind of, example of, or manifestation of its broader
context. For example, orthographic drawings is the
broader context for plans (drawings) because all
plans are orthographic (i.e., the projectors are perpendicular
to the picture plane).
ASSOCIATED CONCEPTS FACET
Hierarchy: Associated Concepts
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES FACET
Hierarchies: Attributes and Properties, Conditions
and Effects, Design Elements, Color
STYLES AND PERIODS FACET
Hierarchy: Styles and Periods
AGENTS FACET
Hierarchies: People, Organizations, Living
Organisms
ACTIVITIES FACET
Hierarchies: Disciplines, Functions, Events,
Physical and Mental Activities, Processes and Techniques
MATERIALS FACET
Hierarchy: Materials
OBJECTS FACET
Hierarchies:
Object Groupings and Systems
Object Genres
Components
Built Environment: Settlements and Landscapes, Built
Complexes and Districts, Single Built Works, Open Spaces
and Site Elements
Furnishings and Equipment: Furnishings, Costume, Tools
and Equipment, Weapons and Ammunition, Measuring Devices,
Containers, Sound Devices, Recreational Artifacts, Transportation
Vehicles
Visual and Verbal Communication: Visual Works, Exchange
Media, Information Forms
BRAND NAMES FACET
Hierarchy:
Brand Names
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3.1.1.5.3 |
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Guide terms
Guide Terms are AAT records that serve as place savers
to create a level in the hierarchy under which the AAT can
collocate related concepts. Guide terms are not used by end
users for indexing or cataloging. They should be constructed as a phrase
Guide terms are typographically distinguished from concept records in displays by enclosure in angled brackets. In AAT, the record is flagged as Guide Term, but the data itself does not include angled brackets. (This is also true of the parentheses displayed around qualifiers, which are stored in a separate field from terms.) In displays and whenever
published, guide terms should be closed in angled brackets (e.g., <costume by function>).
Elimination of incorrect guide terms: In order to correct overly complex hierarchical levels and to eliminate guide terms that do not follow ISO standards, certain guide terms in AAT are being gradually changed to Concept records, or are eliminated entirely. Hint: In English, if the proposed guide term does not contain the word "for" or "by," it should probably be a concept record, not a guide term.
- Example
[partial display for "costume"]
- Top of the AAT hierarchies
.... Objects Facet
........ Furnishings and Equipment
............ Costume
................ costume
.................... <costume by form>
........................ main garments
........................ outerwear
........................ underwear
.................... <costume by function>
........................ bearing cloths
........................ binders (costume)
........................ceremonial costume
........................ coverups
........................ goalie's masks
........................ habits
........................ masks (costume)
[etc.]
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3.1.1.6 |
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RULES for creating hierarchical
relationships |
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3.1.1.6.1 |
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Facets and "Hierarchies"
The records for the top organizational levels of the AAT,
including Facets and "Hierarchies," may not be edited,
merged, or moved. It is not permitted to add a new Facet or Hierarchy. The Getty Vocabulary Program may undertake such activities if absolutely necessary; however, it is strongly discouraged because such major changes to the core structure of the AAT would disrupt thousands of users' implementations of the AAT. |
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3.1.1.6.3 |
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Adding "Guide Term" level
A new Guide Term level is created only 1) to be consistent with other
similar hierarchies in the AAT or 2) when a valid concept
record will not suffice to mark the level. See also 3.3
Terms.
- Examples
- <photographs by technique>
- <single built works by location or context>
- <single built works by function>
- Note that the angled brackets appear only in displays
after the data is processed. Do NOT type angled brackets
in the term field. Indicate that a record is a Guide Term
by using the Record Type field (see 3.2 Identifying numbers,
status flags, and subject sources), and the publishing
routine will insert the angled brackets. The example below illustrates the arrangement of roles for people, organized by guide terms.
- Example
- Constructing a Guide Term
If it is necessary to construct a guide term, create a phrase
that will represent the characteristics of the division
by which a listing of narrower concepts is clustered. Use the
precedent of other guide terms in the same or a similar
area of the hierarchies.
- Examples
- <single built works by location or context>
... gatehouses
- <single built works by function>
... dwellings
- Types of Guide Terms
Make Guide Terms consistent with other divisions in the
same or a similar hierarchy. Use established types of guide
term consistently throughout the AAT, such as when particular
characteristics of division, such as form and function,
are applicable. Three recurrent guide terms are <...by
form>, <...by function>, and <...by location
or context>.
- by form: Use this guide term level to collocate
concepts for images and objects that are distinguishable
by their physical form or by the manner in which they
are presented. In general, if an object is identified
by sight, then it is located under a "by form"
guide term.
- by function: Use this guide term level to collocate
concepts for objects that are distinguishable by the particular
purpose for which they are designed or used. If an object
is identifiable by its intended use, it is placed under
a "by function" guide term.
- by location or context: Use this guide term
level to collocate concepts for objects that are distinguishable
by their use or application within a particular physical
location. If an object is identifiable by association
with specific surroundings, it is placed under a "by
location" guide term.
- others: Use additional guide term levels as
needed to maintain consistency. The nature of certain
subject areas may require the use of subject-specific
guide terms, such as <...by method of representation>
in the Visual Works hierarchy.
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3.1.1.6.4 |
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How to choose the parent
Position concepts under the most logical broader concept, keeping
in mind the particular logic evident throughout the AAT. Choose
the parent based on precedent by consulting records for similar
types of concepts in the AAT.
- Specificity of placement
Position the AAT concept record under the most specific parent possible.
Be consistent with the precedent of other records in the
same or similar sections of the hierarchies.
- Is this parent correct?
With the descriptor of the concept record in mind, determine
if this concept is a type of the proposed parent concept.
If it is, then a genus/species relationship exists.
- Quick test: The genus/species relationship is
illustrated by the "all-some test." The children
should all be a type of, kind of, example of, or manifestation
of the parent. As illustrated in the example
below, all houses [child] are dwellings [parent], and some
dwellings [parent] are houses [child] (but not all dwellings
are houses). If this test does not work, the placement of
the child is incorrect.
- Example
- Top of the AAT hierarchies
.... Objects Facet
........ Built Environment
............ Single Built Works
................ single built works
.................... <single built works by specific
type>
........................ <single built works by
function>
............................ residential structures
................................ dwellings
.................................... houses
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3.1.1.6.5 |
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Determining levels of the hierarchy
- Consistent levels within the AAT
There is no set number of levels within the AAT. Place the
concept record only as deep in the hierarchy as necessary;
do not make unnecessary levels. However, at
the same time be consistent with the rest of the AAT hierarchy,
which often includes up to a dozen or more levels.
- Examples
["culture" at level 5]
- Top of the AAT hierarchies
.... Associated Concepts Facet
........ Associated Concepts
............ <culture and related concepts>
................ culture
["biggins" at level 13]
- Top of the AAT hierarchies
.... Objects Facet
........ Furnishings and Equipment
............ Containers
................ containers
.................... <containers by function or context>
........................ culinary containers
............................ <containers for serving
and consuming food>
................................ <vessels for serving
and consuming food>
.................................... <vessels for
serving drinks>
........................................ coffeepots
............................................ biggins
(vessels)
- Levels with identical names
In some cases, the levels of the AAT seem to be redundant because multiple levels, one under the other, have names that
differ only in capitalization. This occurs only with facets,
"hierarchies," and guide terms; it should never
occur with concept term names. (The redundancy is an artifact
of the AAT development over 40 years; streamlining
the structure would require a major overhaul that would seriously disrupt users' implementations and application of terms.)
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- Choosing the correct facet
How can you know where to place a new concept record in the AAT? As a first step, you could look up similar concepts in the AAT, using basic
information that you know about the concept.
- For example, if you wish to place the term sulfuryl
fluoride in the AAT, and you know that it is an
inorganic chemical compound used as an insecticide,
where does it go? If you browse around in the AAT, you
will see that there are many chemicals listed under
inorganic material, but none under insecticide.
Therefore, you would abide by precedent and place sulfuryl
fluoride with the other inorganic materials, and
refer to its usage as an insecticide in the Scope Note.
You may surmise the logic: The AAT cannot place every
chemical compound under its usage because so many compounds have
many uses; you want to avoid undue complexity, particularly when it lies outside the main scope and purpose of AAT.
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3.1.1.6.6 |
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In the Associated Concepts Facet
In this facet include records for abstract concepts
and phenomena that relate to the study and execution of various
areas of human thought and activity, including architecture
and art in all media, as well as related disciplines. Also
covered here are theoretical and critical concerns, ideologies,
attitudes, and social or cultural movements (e.g., beauty,
balance, connoisseurship, metaphor, freedom, socialism).
»Associated Concepts hierarchy
The Associated Concepts Facet has only one Hierarchy,
called Associated Concepts.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for branches of learning and areas of specialization,
professions and professional specialties (e.g., history)
go in the Disciplines hierarchy, but concepts associated
with these disciplines (e.g., positivism) belong
here in Associated Concepts.
- Concept records for styles and movements (e.g., Neoclassical,
Impressionist) belong in the Styles and Periods hierarchy,
but forms of expression (e.g., abstraction) and
broad categories of art and architecture that are not
specific to a given people or period (e.g., organic
architecture, street art) belong here in Associated
Concepts.
- Organization
Concept records are arranged according to the field of study or
activity to which they relate, such as <concepts in
the arts> (e.g., connoisseurship), environmental
concepts (e.g., green design), legal
concepts (e.g., liability), psychological
concepts (e.g., perception), and technology
and related concepts (e.g., infrastructure).
Place concepts that relate to many fields of study (e.g.,
methodology) under multi-disciplinary concepts.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should be nouns in this facet. Use of the singular or plural
form as decided by literary warrant and common
usage. Provide adjectival forms as alternate descriptors
in some cases (e.g., for Buddhism, alternate descriptor
= Buddhist). Keep in mind that descriptors and alternate
descriptors may be used by end users in combination with
other terms (e.g., Buddhist + monasteries;
Inuit + customs). For further discussion regarding
descriptors, see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.7 |
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In the Physical Attributes facet
In this facet include concept records for the perceptible or measurable
characteristics of materials and artifacts as well as features
of materials and artifacts that are not separable as components.
Included are characteristics such as size and shape, chemical
properties of materials, qualities of texture and hardness,
and features such as surface ornament and color (e.g., strapwork,
borders, round, waterlogged, brittleness).
»Attributes and Properties
hierarchy
Contains concept records for inherent characteristics, especially
physical characteristics of materials and objects. Excluded
are descriptors for colors and color properties, which are
found in the separate Color hierarchy.
- Attribute or Property? In common usage, the distinction
between which characteristics may be called "attributes"
and which "properties" is not always clear,
thus a separation between the two has not always been
made in the hierarchy. As a general guideline, "attributes"
refers to characteristics of individual objects, items,
or entities, and the descriptors are mostly used to describe
the thing; they often are readily apparent, though not
quantifiable by an established standard. "Properties"
refers here to characteristics that suggest how a material,
or sometimes a grouping of things, will respond under
certain conditions; they often are quantifiable, although
often are not apparent without examination or testing.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Other Hierarchies include alternate descriptors that may
serve as attributes (e.g., carved is the alternate
descriptor of carving; wooden is the alternate
descriptor of wood). Do not repeat such terms in
Attributes and Properties.
- Concept records for color names belong in the Color hierarchy.
- Certain physical phenomena that are closely associated
with physical and chemical properties (e.g., luminescence)
belong in the Associated Concepts hierarchy.
- Expressions that describe effects of particular physical
circumstances on materials or objects belong in the Conditions
and Effects hierarchy (e.g., cracks).
- Descriptive characteristics may also be placed in various
other hierarchies as parts of compound terms (e.g., split-level
houses).
- Organization
Most concept records should appear under <attributes and
properties by specific type>, either directly under
that guide term or grouped when necessary under a more specific
guide term (e.g., under positional attributes).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Some descriptors may be adjectives; others should be nouns
with an adjective provided as an alternate descriptor. Choose
the form based on precedent, together with need and usage.
Remember that descriptors and alternate descriptors will
be used by end users in combination with other terms (e.g.,
handmade + carpets; porous + stone).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
»Conditions and Effects hierarchy
Contains concept records for physical characteristics perceptible
in or on materials or objects that are the result of particular
physical circumstances or of spontaneous physical or chemical
change.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for processes of physical change are found in the
Processes and Techniques hierarchy, and some of those terms
can designate both the process and the effect (e.g., corrosion).
- Concept records for forms or effects purposefully added
to objects as ornament (e.g., air traps) are found in
the Design Elements hierarchy.
- Organization
Place the concept record under <conditions and effects by specific type>
if the phenomenon appears in a certain type of material or
objects (e.g., cracks). Place the record under the specific guide term if there is a subdivision that
applies (e.g., <conditions and effects for paper>.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should be in the noun form, with alternate descriptors
provided as appropriate. In some cases the alternate is
the singular noun (e.g., defects with the alternate descriptor defect)
and others are an adjective form (e.g., wear, alternate descriptor
worn). Remember that end users use descriptors and
alternate descriptors in combination with other terms (e.g.,
paint + cleavage; surface + defects).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
»Design Elements hierarchy
The Design Elements hierarchy contains concept records for conventionalized
and recurring shapes and arrangements of forms used in the
design of many types of objects and their ornament. These
may be two-dimensional such as painted zigzags, in
relief such as carved rosettes, or may refer to the
shape of discrete objects, such as Celtic crosses
sculpted in stone.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for certain attributes related to shape or position
are in the Attributes and Properties hierarchy (e.g., convex,
concentric) and should not be repeated in Design Elements.
- Three-dimensional ornamental components of structures
and other objects are found in the Components hierarchy
(e.g., finials).
- Organization
Arrange the hierarchy in sections for applied decoration
(e.g., banding), for individual motifs (e.g., palmettes),
for areas of ornamental design (e.g., borders), and
for repetitive patterns (e.g., interlace).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should be plural nouns except where usage dictates
the singular, including most pattern types (e.g., herringbone).
For those descriptors in the plural, make singular forms as alternate
descriptors if appropriate. Note that end users will create
terms for motifs based on objects or figures, by using alternate
descriptors from other hierarchies with the term motif (e.g.,
shell + motif; tree + motif).
For further discussion regarding creating terms, see 3.3
Terms.
»Color hierarchy
The Color hierarchy contains concept records for the names of colors and terms
for color in the sense of qualities perceived through vision
responding to different wavelengths of light. Also included
are concept records for types of color (e.g., cool colors)
and color-related phenomena (e.g., color mixture).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Terms for inherent physical characteristics other than color
but which may relate to color (e.g., permanence)
belong in the Attributes and Properties hierarchy.
- Concept records for physical phenomena perceptible in color (e.g.,
abrash, color shift) are in the Conditions and
Effects hierarchy.
- Concept records for individual and repeating design elements
such as signs and symbols, motifs, patterns, and areas
of decoration are in the Design Elements hierarchy (e.g.,
crosses, Tudor roses, frets).
- Concept records for materials used to impart color to physical
things (e.g., dye) are found in the Materials
hierarchy.
- Organization
Concept records are arranged in two sections: colors and <color
and color-related phenomena>.
- The first section is subdivided into chromatic
colors (e.g., grayish brown), neutrals
(e.g., black), and color types (e.g.,
primary colors).
- The second section is subdivided into color (e.g.,
reflected color), color properties
(e.g., undertone), color-related attributes
(e.g., monochrome), and color-related effects
(e.g., tint).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should be in noun or adjectival form as appropriate.
Provide singular forms as alternate descriptors to plural
noun descriptors. End users may combine descriptors and
alternate descriptors other terms (deep greenish blue
+ silk; warm color + perception; deep
purple + tint). For further discussion regarding
terms, see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.8 |
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In the Styles and Periods facet
In this facet include concept records for stylistic groupings and distinct
chronological periods that are relevant to art, architecture,
and the decorative arts (e.g., French, Louis XIV, Zhou,
Black-figure, Abstract Expressionist). The names of cultures
are also included.
»Styles and Periods hierarchy
The Styles and Periods Facet has only one hierarchy,
called Styles and Periods. It contains the concept records for art
and architecture styles, historical periods, and art movements.
Names of peoples, cultures, individuals, and sites are included
if they designate distinct styles or periods (e.g., Yoruba,
Louis XIV). Geographic descriptors are included for
broad cultural regions and nations.
- Style, Period, or Culture? In common usage, the
distinction between which characteristics may be called
"styles," which are "periods," and which
are "culture" is not always clear due to frequent
overlap, thus a separation between the three has not always
been made in the hierarchy.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Terms for genres of art, including all the arts not specific
to a given people or period (e.g., amateur art, pattern
poetry) are found in the Associated Concepts hierarchy,
as are descriptors for general approaches to art (e.g.,
realism).
- Specific movements named after such approaches are found
here in the Styles and Periods hierarchy (e.g., Realist).
- Organization
The hierarchy is organized in two sections.
- The first section, <styles and periods by general
era>, contains concepts that apply generally to several
various regions or cultures (e.g., prehistoric).
- The second section <styles and periods by region>
contains terms that are specific to certain regions or
cultures. This section is divided into the following:
African, Americas, The. Asian, Early Western
World, European, Islamic World, Oceanic,
and <international post-1945 styles and movements>.
- Arrange records chronologically instead of alphabetically
where a clear chronological order exists. See Sort
Order below.
- The preferred parent for a concept record for a style or
period should be with its earliest chronological occurrence
or where the concept has its broadest meaning. In general,
concepts should be considered as clarified by their
hierarchical position but not limited in meaning by it.
For example, descriptors for styles that have spread from
their region of origin to other regions are typically
listed under the region of origin, but they are appropriate
to designate the style wherever it has been carried. Georgian
appears with British styles because this is where it developed,
but end users may use the descriptor to describe the Georgian
style in the United States.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors from the Styles and Periods hierarchy are intended
to be used as modifiers and therefore are in adjectival
form, where such exists (e.g., Greek). Otherwise
they are in noun form to be used as noun modifiers (e.g.,
Shawnee). In the modern and post-1945 sections, where
a descriptor is an adjective derived from the descriptor
of an artistic movement, the descriptor of that movement
appears as an alternate descriptor (e.g., Cubist, alternate descriptor
Cubism). End users will create some style names by combining
two or more descriptors from this hierarchy (e.g., French
+ Late Renaissance). When place names are needed, users who wish to make heading phrases
are advised to take the geographic names from the Getty Thesaurus of
Geographic Names, (e.g., Massachusetts + Italianate
+ houses). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.9 |
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In the Agents facet
This facet includes roles for people, expressed as generic terms referencing agents. In this facet include concept records for designations for the roles of people, groups
of people, and organizations identified by occupation or activity,
by physical or mental characteristics, or by social role or
condition (e.g., printmakers, landscape architects, corporations,
religious orders). Animals are also be included in this
facet.
»People hierarchy
Contains concept records for the roles of individual people and for groups of
people that do not constitute organizations (no proper names,
however). Included are roles for people defined by occupations or
activities they pursue, such as conservators, by
biological or social roles such as sisters-in-law, and by other
characteristics such as adherence to a particular belief
(e.g., pacifists) or social or physical condition
(e.g., enslaved people). Also included are terms
for groups of people defined by activity ( e.g., opera singers).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for roles describing organized groups of people (e.g., associations,
nations) are found in the Organizations Hierarchy.
- Concept records for branches of learning, areas of specialization,
and professional fields are found in the Disciplines Hierarchy
(e.g., mathematics, zoning law, museology).
- Organization
The hierarchy is arranged in nine sections:
- <groups of people> (e.g., audiences)
- <people by age group> (e.g., adults)
- <people by family relationship> (e.g.,
offspring)
- <people by gender> (e.g., women)
- <people by occupation> (e.g., auditors)
- <people by degree of qualification>, (e.g.,
amateurs)
- <people by activity>, (e.g., collectors)
- <people by ideology, philosophy, or political
activity> (e.g., revolutionaries)
- <people by state or condition> (e.g.,
handicapped).
»Organizations Hierarchy
Contains concept records for roles for groups of people who are organized for a purpose,
typically characterized by a more or less constant membership,
a body of officers or functionaries, and a set of regulations
guiding their activities and conduct. Included are public
organizations such as social services, private organizations
such as firms, and those that can be either, such as charities.
Also included are administrative and political organizations
such as nations, tribal areas, and kingdoms, that incorporate a geographic
area and general population as well as an organized administration.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for groups of people that do not constitute organizations
(e.g., social classes) are found in the People Hierarchy.
- Concept records for collections of objects brought together and
managed by an organization or person (e.g., corporate
collections) are found in the Object Groupings and
Systems hierarchies.
- Concept records for settlements (e.g., cities) and districts
(e.g., school districts) which include an organization
but which emphasize a concept of physical space takes
precedence are found in the Settlements and Landscapes
and the Built Complexes and Districts hierarchies respectively.
- Concept records with terms that are the same for both a building and the
organization it houses (e.g., churches, hospitals)
are found here and in the Built Works hierarchy. Use Qualifiers to distinguish the two (e.g., churches (institutions) and churches (buildings)). Link the related concepts through Associative Relationships.
- Organization
The hierarchy is arranged, wherever possible, in generic
groups such as administrative bodies (e.g.,
sovereign states), armed forces (e.g., air
forces), associations (e.g., trade unions),
boards (organizations) (e.g., zoning boards),
business enterprises (e.g., corporations),
institutions (e.g., social institutions), services
(e.g., emergency services), and <organizations
by location or context> (e.g., international organizations).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns, with the singular noun as
alternate descriptor. End users will combine descriptors
with other terms (e.g., democratic + Greek
+ city-states, librarians' + professional associations).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
»Living Organisms Hierarchy
Contains concept records for animals and plants, including their
scientific names as well as common names. This hierarchy is not comprehensive nor intended for the scientific community. It is tailored to the needs of catalogers of art and cultural heritage, such as when describing a material used for a work. This Hierarchy in AAT uses sources for scientific taxonomies. However, it also includes terminology not found in scientific taxonomies. Thus nonspecific terms or terms in common usage are included in the same hierarchy as the scientific binomial names. See discussion below.
- Regarding other hierarchies
Records for animals or plants may be linked through Associative
Relationships to records for the products derived from them,
particularly when the product is unique and used to produce
architecture or art (e.g., calfs (animals) are linked to vellum).
- Organization
The basic underlying structure is arranged according to recently available taxonomies of animals and plants
in standard, general reference sources. However, it is out of scope for this hierarchy to consistently represent the most current taxonomies used in the scientific communities.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should follow the conventions of the sources.
Names of kingdom, phylum/division, class, order, family,
and genus are spelled with initial capitals (e.g., Canis).
The names of species repeat the capitalized name of the
genus, and the distinguishing term for the species is in
lower case (e.g., Canis lupus).
- Provide the common name plural form as an alternate
descriptor if it is an exact synonym (e.g.,
domestic cats is a synonym of Felis catus,
but wolves is not a synonym to either the species
Canis lupus or to the next higher level, genus
Canis (because wolves refers to species
other than Canis lupus, but Canis genus includes
various canids besides wolves).
- If the common term does not match a level in the hierarchy
of the scientific taxonomy, make a separate record for
the common term, and make hierarchical or associative
relationships to the related records with scientific
terms, as necessary.
- For the scientific descriptors, make Qualifiers for
family, genus, species, etc., as appropriate
and following precedent of the existing hierarchy.
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3.1.1.6.10 |
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In the Activities Facet
In this facet include concept records for areas of endeavor, physical
and mental actions, discrete occurrences, systematic sequences
of actions, methods employed toward a certain end, and processes
occurring in materials or objects. Activities may range from
branches of learning and professional fields to specific life
events, from mentally executed tasks to processes performed
on or with materials and objects, from single physical actions
to complex games (e.g., archaeology, engineering, analyzing,
contests, exhibitions, running, drawing (image-making), corrosion).
» Disciplines Hierarchy
Contains concept records for branches of learning, areas of specialization,
and professions and professional specialties (e.g., literary studies and astrology).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Material-specific or object-specific activities appear primarily
in the Processes and Techniques Hierarchy (e.g., metalworking,
carpentry) while more general professional activities
appear here (e.g., civil engineering).
- Theories relating to disciplines appear in the Associated
Concepts Hierarchy (e.g., structuralism).
- Concept records for activities conducted in order to accomplish
specific purposes appear in the Functions Hierarchy (e.g.,
researching, criticism).
- Organization
Most descriptors are collocated under one of the traditional
fields of study: humanities (e.g., classics), social
sciences (e.g., criminology), and sciences (e.g.,
biology). Disciplines that incorporate aspects of
more than one of the above areas are classed under cross-and
interdisciplinary studies (e.g., forensic medicine).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors appear as singular nouns, except where common
usage dictates the plural (e.g., sciences). Include
adjectival forms as alternate descriptors where justified
by common usage. End users will combine descriptors and
alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., dance
+ photography; highway + engineering;
Canadian + printmaking). For further discussion
regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Functions Hierarchy
Contains concept records for activities that are conducted
in order to accomplish specific purposes, as well as methodologies
associated with specific areas of endeavor. It includes
descriptors for activities relating to the manipulation
of data, the collecting of objects, human communication,
economics, business, law, and government, as well as other
professional activities.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Terms describing branches of learning, (e.g., history)
and areas of specialization, (e.g., law), are found
in the Disciplines Hierarchy.
- Concept records for operations and processes performed on or
with objects and materials (e.g., polishing), are
found in the Processes and Techniques hierarchy.
- Concept records denoting occasions and happenings of a social,
cultural, religious, or personal nature (e.g., exhibitions),
are found in the Events hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy is divided into two main sections: <functions
by general context> and <functions by specific
context>.
- The first section consists of activities common to
a wide range of institutions, professions, and occupations,
such as: analytical functions (e.g., inspecting),
economic and financial functions (e.g.,
bidding), information handling functions
(e.g., editing), and organizational functions
(e.g., scheduling).
- The second section includes activities usually found
in a particular context, such as: educational functions
(e.g., teaching), governmental functions
(e.g., taxing), legal functions
(e.g., paroling), and religious functions
(e.g., baptizing).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors should be in gerund form or in the most commonly
used noun form. Adjectival forms are provided as alternate
descriptors in some cases as justified by common usage.
End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors
with other terms (e.g., promoting + military personnel;
hospital + maintenance; accredited
+ institutions). For further discussion regarding
terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Events hierarchy
Contains concept records for occurrences, happenings, and occasions
of a social, cultural, religious, or personal nature (e.g.,
anniversaries, concerts, births).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Terms for activities and methodologies associated with specific
contexts (e.g., researching, taxing) are found in
the Functions hierarchy.
- Terms relating to actions performed with concrete objects
and materials (e.g., polishing), are found in the
Processes and Techniques hierarchy.
- Organization
Descriptors are arranged under broad groupings such as celebrations
(e.g., centennials), ceremonies (e.g., baptisms),
contests (e.g., tournaments), entertainment
events (e.g., performances), holidays
(e.g., Passover), meetings (e.g., conferences),
<natural events> (e.g., floods), religious
seasons (e.g., Ramadan), and sales
events (e.g., auctions).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns, unless common usage dictates
the singular. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors
to plural descriptors. End users may combine descriptors
and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Micmac
+ feasts; boat + races; children's
+ birthdays). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
» Physical and Mental Activities
hierarchy
Contains concept records for activities ranging from single
actions to complex sets of physical and mental pursuits.
Mental activities are those performed entirely or primarily
with the brain. Physical activities are those performed
with other parts of the body or the body as a whole.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for processes performed physically on or with materials
or objects (e.g., carving) are found in the Processes and
Techniques hierarchy.
- Terms for organizational, administrative, or intellectual
activities conducted to achieve specific purposes (e.g.,
analysis) are found in the Functions hierarchy.
- Concept records denoting occasions, including those when activities
in this hierarchy might take place (e.g., sailing,
basketball) or are always dependent for their occurrence
on a clearly defined set of circumstances (e.g., races)
appear in the Events hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy consists of two sections, physical
activities and mental activities.
- Physical activities level is itself divided
into two sections. Under <physical activities by
general context> are collocated terms for actions
that can occur in a variety of locations or contexts,
(e.g., driving, games). Under <physical activities
by specific context> are descriptors for actions
that always take place in a particular location (e.g.,
sailing, basketball) or are always dependent for
their occurrence on a set of clearly defined circumstances
(e.g., backgammon).
- Mental activities currently is not subdivided
by guide terms.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors appear in either noun or gerund form. They may
be used in combination with descriptors from this and other
hierarchies (e.g., baseball + bats: automobile
+ racing). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
» Processes and Techniques
hierarchy
Contains concept records for actions and methods performed physically
on or with materials and objects, and for processes occurring
in materials and objects. Included are types of process
or technique pertaining to the production and handling of
objects or images (e.g., assembling) or of substances
(e.g., mixing) or relevant to the manipulation and
processing of specific materials (e.g., soldering).
Also included are descriptors for processes that occur in
substances, artifacts, or other objects, sometimes initiated
intentionally and sometimes occurring spontaneously (e.g.,
burning).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Terms for organizational, administrative, or intellectual
activities conducted to accomplish specific purposes (e.g.,
analysis), including descriptors relating to the
collecting of objects and various other professional activities
(e.g., collections management), are found in the
Functions hierarchy.
- Concept records that designate branches of learning (e.g., anthropology)
are found in the Disciplines hierarchy, while the processes
and techniques associated with these fields are contained
here.
- Concept records for physical and mental actions not performed
to manipulate materials or fabricate objects (e.g., running,
meditation) are placed in the Physical and Mental
Activities hierarchy.
- Certain concept records that refer to degenerative forces on
materials or structures (e.g., stress) are found
in the Associated Concepts hierarchy.
- Concept records for certain effects caused by processes occurring
in materials and objects (e.g., cracks) appear
in the Conditions and Effects hierarchy.
- Organization
Most concept records appear under <processes and techniques
by specific type>. When possible, they are grouped
according to similarities such as type of action performed
(e.g., under <additive and joining processes and techniques>)
or by the intended function of the activity (e.g., under
<restorative processes and techniques>). Under
<processes and techniques by material> are terms for processes specific to certain materials (e.g.,
woodworking).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are in gerund or noun form according to need
and usage (e.g., abrasion, tuning, tapestry). Adjectival
forms are provided as alternate descriptors where appropriate.
End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g.,
hand-colored + photographs: Medieval
+ cloisonné; half-timber + cottages).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.11 |
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In the Materials Facet
In this facet include concept records for physical substances, whether
naturally or synthetically derived. These range from specific
materials to types of materials designed by their function,
such as colorants, and from raw materials to those that have
been formed or processed into products that are used in fabricating
structures or objects (e.g., iron, clay, adhesive, emulsifier,
artificial ivory, millwork).
» Materials hierarchy
The Materials Facet has only one hierarchy, also called
Materials.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Material products are included here rather than in the Objects
facet because they can be used in the construction of various
objects (e.g., planks for floors or walls), and because
they are not necessary constituent parts of objects (e.g.,
shingle is not essential to roofs in the same way as
eaves).
- Concept records denoting activities performed on or with materials
are found in the Processes and Techniques hierarchy (e.g.,
glassworking).
- Concept records for object types defined by the material from
which they are made are found in the Object Genres hierarchy
(e.g., metalwork, textiles) while terms for the
materials themselves are found here (metal, textile).
- Concept records for tools used in the creation of images (e.g.,
charcoal sticks, pens) appear in the Tools and
Equipment hierarchy, while descriptors for the material
of which they are made or which they use are found here
(charcoal, ink).
- Organization
The hierarchy is divided into five broad sections.
- The organization of this hierarchy reflects an emphasis
on the substance quality of materials rather than their
numerous forms and functions, thus the majority of descriptors
appear under the heading <materials by composition>.
This section is subdivided into inorganic material
(e.g., cement), organic material (e.g.,
coal), and combination inorganic/organic
material (e.g., soil). Under <materials
by form> are terms for common forms in which materials
are produced (e.g., foam). Under <materials
by function> are descriptors for classes of materials
that denote the particular purpose they serve (e.g.,
adhesive, solvent) as well as broad headings for materials
relating to specific activities (e.g., building materials).
- Other sections are <materials by origin> (e.g.,
plant material), and <materials by property> (e.g.,
inert material).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Most descriptors are singular nouns, except where common
usage warrants the plural form. Where appropriate, the plural
forms of singular descriptors are provided as alternate
descriptors. End users may combine descriptors and alternate
descriptors with other terms (e.g., stained glass
+ windows; canvas + sails; archival
quality + mounting board; hardwood + shavings).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.12 |
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In the Objects Facet
The Objects Facet is the largest of all the AAT facets. In
this facet include terms for discrete tangible or visible
things that are inanimate and produced by human endeavor;
that is, that are either fabricated or given form by human
activity. These range, in physical form, from built works
to images and written documents. They range in purpose from
utilitarian to the aesthetic. Also included are landscape
features that provide the context for the built environment
(e.g., paintings, amphorae, facades, cathedrals, Brewster
chairs, gardens).
- The Objects Facet is divided into several sections, Object
Groupings and Systems, Object Genres, Components, Built
Environment, Furnishings and Equipment, and Visual and Verbal
Communication, most of which are themselves further subdivided
into Hierarchies. Those Hierarchies are discussed below.
» Object Groupings and Systems
hierarchy
Contains concept records having terms, that in their singular form, denote
a number of artifacts that are related but discrete and
are to be treated as a unit or an assembly of equipment
and activities intended to perform a specific function.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for groupings or systems that are not object-based
are found in other hierarchies, such as in the Organizations
hierarchy, and under groups of people in
the People hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy is divided into three parts.
- Included under <object groupings by general context>
are terms that may pertain either to a variety of object
types (e.g., editions), or to groupings that specifically
include various object types (e.g., layettes).
- Under <object groupings by specific context>
descriptors appear in sections paralleling the other hierarchies
of the Objects facet (e.g., under furnishings groupings,
costume groupings).
- Under systems are the sections <systems by function>,
containing descriptors for systems designated by their
purpose (e.g., communication systems), and <systems
by location or context>, containing descriptors
for systems designated by their place of use (e.g., building
systems).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns, with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor where appropriate. End users
may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., postcard
+ collections: railroad + personnel). For
further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Object Genres hierarchy
Contains concept records that are common to various contexts and
may apply to more than one of the other hierarchies in the
Objects facet. For example, the descriptor reproductions,
in the Object Genres hierarchy, may be applied to many object
types, from doorknobs (which is in the Components
hierarchy) to altarpieces (which appears in the Visual
Works hierarchy).
- Also included are concept records for broad classes of objects
or images to which specific object types, which are found
in other hierarchies, may or may not belong depending on
the particular context. For example, photographs
(in Visual Works) can be variously considered to be documents
or works of art (terms that appear here), depending
on the circumstances; or cups (in the Containers
hierarchy) can be variously considered as antiques,
art objects, or collectibles (terms that appear
here), again depending on the circumstances.
- In addition, included here are concept records having terms that refer to an
object by its form, and that form is so generic that it
does not fall into the more specific scope of any other
hierarchy in the Objects facet, such as chains.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for more specific object types, including structures,
images, and texts (e.g., chairs, churches, portraits,
transcripts), appear in other hierarchies of the Objects
Facet.
- Organization
Under object genres are concept records for object
types not specific to another hierarchy or the Objects facet.
These include, under <object genres by cultural or intellectual
valuation>, terms for broad classes of objects that will
be applied to specific objects differently in different
contexts, according to cultural values or intellectual judgments
(e.g., works of art).
- Under <object genres by originals and derivatives>
are concept records that refer to objects or works on the basis
of whether or not they derive from other objects or works
(e.g., forgeries).
- Under <object genres by form> are concept records
that identify a generic object type by aspects of its
physical form or arrangement (e.g., fragments).
- Under <object genres by function> are
concept records that identify a class of objects by how they are
used (e.g., devotional objects).
- Under <object genres by location, context or
origin> are concept records that emphasize where that class
of objects is or was found or used (e.g., grave goods).
- Under <object genres by material> are
concept records that identify a class of objects by what the objects
are made from (e.g., glassware).
- Under <object genres by technique> are
concept records that denote a class of objects by the technique
used to produce them (e.g., castings).
- Under <object genres by maker's career stage>
are concept records that identify a class of objects by the stage
of the maker's career at which they were made (e.g., early
works).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor where appropriate. Descriptors
may be used in combination with other terms (e.g., Sumerian
+ votive offerings; furniture + reproductions;
prototype + houses). For further discussion
regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Components hierarchy
Contains concept records for the constituent parts of objects,
including structures, images, and texts. In those instances
where a term refers to an element that may sometimes
be a component and sometimes stand alone, its preferred
parent should be the single most suitable hierarchy. For
example, chapels, which are always rooms or spaces
but may sometimes also be independent buildings, has rooms
and spaces as preferred parent in the Components
hierarchy; air conditioners, which are always equipment
but may also sometimes be part of HVAC systems, appears
in the Tools and Equipment hierarchy. See Multiple Parents
below.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for features that are not separable components, such
as ornamental patterns and physical effects (e.g., fluting,
wrinkles), appear in the hierarchies of the Physical
Attributes facet.
- Concept records for items permanently installed into the fabric
of the built environment (e.g. altars) appear here
as components, while movable articles used to furnish
indoor or outdoor spaces are found in the Furnishings
hierarchy.
- Organization
Under <components by general context> are concept records
for components that are relevant to numerous different types
of object.
- Under <components by specific context>
are concept records that appear in sections that mainly parallel
the other hierarchies of the Object facet (e.g., costume
components, visual works components).
- Records are placed in the most specific location that
is appropriate; for example, handles, being applicable
in many contexts, is under <components by general
context>, but drawer pulls is under hardware handles (finish hardware, and helves is under tool handles.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors appear as plural nouns with the singular form
provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End
users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., Ionic
+ capitals; satin + lapels). For further
discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Settlements and Landscapes
hierarchy
Contains concept records for the largest features of the built
environment, whether relatively concentrated (e.g., retirement
communities) or extensive (e.g., capital cities).
- Settlements are defined as all places or areas, however
large, occupied or modified by human populations and with
enough societal functions to be relatively self-sufficient.
- Also included in this hierarchy are concept records for major
types of natural landscape and cultural landscape and their
components that provide the largest environmental context
for built works.
- Built or natural environment? Given that natural
landscapes are in this hierarchy, the AAT does not emphasize
a distinction between the natural environment and the built
environment. Maintaining such a distinction is often frustrated
because (a) there is continuity between the two, (b) much
of the natural environment has been subject to human intervention
and has the qualifies of a cultural artifact, and (c) much
of the built environment, at a wide range of scale, functions
as an ecological system.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Administrative bodies (e.g., nations, provinces)
are located in the Organizations hierarchy.
- Adjectival attributes of some settlements (e.g., radial
plan) are found in the Associated Concepts hierarchy.
- Concept records referring to products of plants and trees are
found in the Materials hierarchy (e.g., bamboo, pine),
while descriptors for general vegetation (e.g., jungles,
shrubs) are found here.
- Concept records for infrastructural systems, networks of buildings,
other structures, and equipment that constitute physically
ordered entities within settlements and landscapes (e.g.,
bus transit systems) are located in the Object
Groupings and Systems hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy contains two section, settlements and
landscapes (environments).
- Concept records in the settlements section are organized according
to characteristics such as function (e.g., military
towns), economic base (e.g., fishing villages),
location (e.g., hill towns), and planning concept
(e.g., model cities).
- The landscapes portion of the hierarchy is organized
under natural landscapes and cultural landscapes.
Under natural landscapes are descriptors for bodies of
water and their components (e.g., lakes), deserts,
wetlands (e.g., bogs), major landforms and their components
(e.g., mountains, cliffs), major categories of
vegetation (e.g., herbaceous plants), and plant
communities (e.g., prairies). Cultural landscapes
collocates descriptors under <cultural landscapes
by function> (e.g., agricultural land),
<cultural landscapes by location or context>
(e.g., urban landscapes), <cultural landscapes
by development practice> (e.g., wasteland),
and <cultural landscapes by ownership> (e.g.,
demesnes).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. Users may use
descriptors with other terms (e.g., city + streets;
protected + wetlands; Medieval +
towns). For further discussion regarding terms, see
3.3 Terms.
» Built Complexes and Districts
hierarchy
Contains concept records for coherent groupings of built works and
for parts of settlements.
- Complexes are defined as aggregations of buildings, other
structures, and open spaces - often multifunctional and
more extensive, and usually shaped over a longer period
of time by more participants than single built works.
- Districts are defined as delineated or perceived components
of settlements that are more extensive and less architectonic
than built complexes. These areas are likely to be defined
by socio-economic characteristics or topographic features,
by a sameness of the built works they encompass, or by administratively
created boundaries.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Public transit systems (e.g., streetcar systems)
are found in the Object Groupings and Systems hierarchy.
- Types of road (e.g., highways, streets) are
found in the open spaces portion of the Open Spaces and
Site Elements hierarchy.
- Constituent parts of roads (e.g., bus lanes, curbs)
are found in the Components hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy is structured under the two broad descriptors
complexes and districts.
- Concept records in the complexes section are classified by function
(e.g., power plants, plantations) or by development
practice (e.g., mixed-use developments).
- In the districts section, concept records are collocated by the
headings <districts by function> (e.g., buffer
zones, school districts), <districts by location
or context> (e.g., acropolises, inner cities),
and districts by condition (e.g., growth centers).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may
use descriptors with other terms (e.g., district
+ zoning; prefabricated + housing;
Shaker + cemeteries; rehabilitated
+ inner cities). For further discussion regarding
terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Single Built Works hierarchy
Contains concept records for freestanding buildings and other
structures commonly considered individual built works or
architectural types (e.g., museums, basilicas, palaces).
Concept records for single built works cover a range from complex
buildings to minimal accessory structures. Wherever possible,
buildings are distinguished from other structures.
- Buildings are defined as walled or roofed constructions
used or intended for occupancy or shelter (e.g., apartment
houses, restaurants), generally more substantial than
other structures that provide only some shelter or enclosure
(e.g., tents, cow sheds).
- "Other structures" are considered to be constructions
having partial or virtual enclosure or shelter (e.g., cromlechs,
arbors) or freestanding constructions providing no enclosure
or shelter (e.g., mounds, signal towers). Some structures
may be relatively small and exist as accessories to other
built works (e.g., fountains, tombs).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Some terms located in the Single Built Works hierarchy (e.g.,
schools, libraries) can be used to mean
the built works, the organizations, or the institutions. The homographs appear in both logical positions with qualifiers (e.g., libraries (institutions) and libraries (buildings)), and are linked through Associative Relationships
- Concept records for the structural systems and individual building
parts (e.g., balloon frames, garage doors) that
make up single built works are found in the Components
hierarchy.
- Rooms, spaces, and other large building subdivisions
(e.g., kitchens, ells) are also found in the Components
hierarchy.
- Organization
This hierarchy has two main sections to distinguish between
the general types of built works (e.g., buildings and
structures (single built works)) and specific types
(e.g., cottages, post offices, and temples).
- The <single built works by specific type>
is further subdivided as follows: Under the heading <single
built works by form> are collocated records for
general morphological types that do not necessarily denote
any specific function (e.g., apsidal buildings, skyscrapers).
Included under <single built works by function>
are descriptors for classes of built works that are denoted
by their use (e.g., dwellings, commercial buildings).
Under <single built works by location or context>
are found concept records for structures defined by their
placement in the landscape in relation to other structured
works or in relation to landscape features (e.g., garden
structures, outbuildings). A small number of concept records
are found under additional headings classifying single
built works by design and by condition.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may
use descriptors with other terms (e.g., Georgian
+ saltbox houses; three-story + parking
garages; modular + houses; fieldstone
+ cottages). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
» Open Spaces and Site Elements
hierarchy
Contains concept records for open spaces that are relatively coherent
areas created and modified by many of the same concepts
and processes that shape buildings and other structures
(e.g., gardens, plazas), as well as terms for discrete
manufactured or manipulated features found in or around
open spaces, other cultural landscapes, or natural landscapes
(e.g., flagpoles, windbreaks).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
In the Components hierarchy are found concept records for the structural
systems and individual building parts (e.g., balloon
frames, garage doors) that make up single built works
as well as concept records for rooms, spaces, and other large building
subdivisions (e.g., kitchens), and concept records for the
infrastructural system components found throughout the landscape
(e.g., water mains, overpasses). Concept records for the human-produced
features of open spaces and cultural landscapes (e.g., lawns,
berms) are found here, while concept records for types of natural
landscape features and their components (e.g., cliffs,
rivers) are found in the Settlements and Landscapes
hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy is composed of two sections: open spaces
and site elements.
- The open spaces section collocates concept records for
exterior spaces that are designed as units or designated
as units and may contain buildings or other structures
(e.g., quadrangles, parks).
- The site elements section contains concept records
for artifacts that occupy fixed positions in the landscape,
particularly landscapes around buildings, but are not
sufficiently large or complex to be considered buildings
(e.g., fences).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may
combine descriptors with other terms (e.g., concrete
+ bollards; carved + boundary stones;
Renaissance + gardens). For further discussion
regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Furnishings hierarchy
Contains concept records for primarily movable articles that provide
comfort, convenience, or protection in dwellings, places
or business, or other public or private spaces. They may
be useful or ornamental and may be used in indoor or outdoor
spaces. Trade names and proper names for particular types
of furnishing that have come to be used generically or near-generically
are included in the hierarchy.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Objects with the primary purpose of storage receptacles
or other forms of container (e.g., candle boxes,
footlockers) appear in the Containers hierarchy.
- Permanent installations integrated into the fabric
of buildings (e.g., altars, choir screens) appear
in the Components hierarchy.
- Timepieces and meteorological instruments
(e.g., tall case clocks, barometers) appear in
the Measuring Devices hierarchy.
- Concept records for the shapes of furniture pieces appear in
the Attributes and Properties hierarchy (e.g., bombé).
- Concept records for constituent parts of furnishings (e.g., footrests)
appear in the Components hierarchy. Also in that hierarchy
are descriptors for architectural elements that often
appear on furnishings (e.g., arches, pediments).
- Abstract or stylized motifs and conventionalized patterns
(e.g., gadrooning, trefoils), which represent a
visual vocabulary used throughout the decorative arts,
appear in the Design Elements hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy consists of two major categories: <furnishings
by form or function> and <furnishings by location
or context>.
- The first category contains six sections: coverings
and hangings (e.g., throws, rugs); frames
(e.g., ogee frames); furniture (e.g., benches,
chairs); lighting devices (e.g., candles,
chandeliers); mirrors (e.g., hand mirrors,
looking glasses); and soft furnishings
(e.g., bolsters (soft furnishings), pillows).
- The second section includes centerpieces, houseplants, and paperweights.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may
use descriptors with other terms (e.g., blockfront
+ desks; upholstered + chairs; hooked
+ rugs; Baroque + frames).Descriptors
should be For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3
Terms.
» Costume hierarchy
Contains concept records for objects worn or carried for warmth,
protection, embellishment, or for symbolic purposes. It
includes concept records for garments considered as the main item
of dress (e.g., shirts, trousers), concept records for garments
worn under the main garments (e.g., undershirts),
and concept records for garments worn over the main garments (e.g.,
parkas). Also included are concept records for protective wear,
including types of armor; vestments and other ceremonial
garments; uniforms; and an extensive listing of accessories,
including those worn on the body (e.g., headgear, footwear)
and those carried on the person (e.g., evening bags,
parasols).
- Regarding other Hierarchies Timepieces (e.g., pocket
watches, wrist watches) are in the Measuring Devices
hierarchy.
- Weapons (e.g., pocket pistols, dress swords)
are in the Weapons and Ammunition hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects that may be used in the grooming
and care of costume or the person (e.g., clothes brushes,
nail clippers) appear in the Tools and Equipment hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects used to store or transport costume
or other personal effects (e.g., glove boxes, suitcases)
are in the containers hierarchy.
- Constituent parts of costume (e.g., busks, waistbands)
appear in the Components hierarchy.
- Organization
The Costume hierarchy is organized into three major categories:
<costume by form> (e.g., main garments,
outerwear), <costume by function> (e.g.,
habits, uniforms), and costume accessories
(e.g., evening bags, jewelry).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users will
use descriptors with other terms (e.g., fur + coats;
Greek + jewelry; wedding + veils).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Tools and Equipment hierarchy
Contains concept records for equipment used in processing materials
and fabricating objects as well as concept records associated with
activities and disciplines in the construction industry,
design professions, the fine and decorative arts, and other
aspects of material culture. Excluded are artifacts such
as measuring devices and weapons, which may be considered
equipment but fall into the scope of other hierarchies in
the Furnishings and Equipment section of the Objects facet.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for devices used to measure expressed as standard units
or fixed amounts (e.g., gauges) appear in the Measuring
Devices hierarchy. Concept records for items that are necessary to
anchor or join materials, objects, or components (e.g.,
nails, buckles) appear under fasteners in
the Components hierarchy. Constituent parts of equipment
(e.g., handles) are also in the Components hierarchy.
HVAC systems can be found in the Object Groupings and Systems
hierarchy, while the concept records for HVAC equipment (e.g.,
air conditioners) are found here.
- Organization
The hierarchy is organized into six categories:
- <equipment by general type> (e.g., machinery,
tools) includes the generic forms of equipment without
enumerating their types.
- <equipment by mode of operation> (e.g.,
hydraulic equipment, power tools) identifies categories
of equipment by their source of power
- <equipment by context> (e.g., cutlery,
saddles) groups equipment by its context of use
- <equipment by process> (e.g., earthmoving
equipment, power producing equipment) organizes equipment
according to the basic function it performs
- <equipment by profession or discipline>
(e.g., scientific instruments, surveying instruments)
collocates descriptors for equipment associated with a
particular discipline or profession
- <equipment by material processed> (e.g.,
gathering irons, woodworking tools) includes descriptors
for equipment used exclusively with certain materials.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided
as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may
use descriptors with other terms (e.g., pen + drawings;
cast iron + bench anvils). For further discussion
regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Weapons and Ammunition hierarchy
Contains concept records for implements and mechanisms designed to
be used as a means of physical attack or defense. Included
are hand-held weapons such as swords, ground- or carriage-supported
weapons such as artillery and components of weapons (e.g.,
arrowheads), and objects propelled by firearms (e.g.,
cartridges). Also included are concept records for hunting
weapons (e.g., boar spears) and for objects derived
from weapons but used for purely ceremonial purposes (e.g.,
dress swords).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for materials that can function as weapons or ammunition
themselves are found in the Materials hierarchy (e.g., gunpowder,
propellants).
- Concept records for armor and other forms of protective wear
(e.g., shields, flak jackets) are found in the
Costume hierarchy.
- Concept records for armored or weapons-carrying vehicles (e.g.,
warships, tanks (military vehicles)) are found
in the Transportation Artifacts hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects used both as weapons and as tools
are found in the Tools and Equipment hierarchy (e.g.,
hammers).
- Concept records for containers for weapons and ammunition (e.g.,
scabbards, powder flasks) are found with other
containers in the Furnishings hierarchy.
- Concept records for firearms used purely for target shooting
are found in the Recreational Artifacts hierarchy, while
those for firearms used as weapons in combat or hunting
are found here.
- Concept records for parts of weapons (e.g., triggers),
as well as components belonging to both weapons and tools
(e.g., blades), are found in the Components hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy is divided into two broad sections, weapons
and ammunition.
- The first section is divided into combination weapons,
edged weapons (e.g., bayonets), explosive
weapons (e.g., petards), incendiary weapons
(e.g., flamethrowers), percussive weapons
(e.g., quarterstaffs), and projectile weapons
(e.g., catapults).
- Concept records under ammunition are grouped according to whether
they function in artillery (e.g., cannonballs)
or small arms (e.g., bullets), or both (e.g., shot).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors. End users use descriptors and
alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Japanese
+ engraved + steel + swords; security
guards' + handguns). For further discussion regarding
terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Measuring Devices hierarchy
Contains concept records for instruments or containers designed and
often calibrated to measure, for example, extent, quantity,
capacity, mass, or position in terms of a standard unit
or fixed amount. Devices for indicating or recording the
data obtained are also enumerated. Included are terms for
instruments for observing and measuring light, heat, the
basic universal forces, and the weather, as well as timekeeping
devices and scales (e.g., wattmeters, strain gauges, tape measures).
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Descriptors for the Components of measuring devices (e.g.,
balance springs, gnomons) are found in the Components
hierarchy.
- Concept records for instruments that may be used to measure or record,
but whose primary purpose is for drafting (e.g., beam
compasses) or for fabricating (e.g., dividing engines)
are found in the Tools and Equipment hierarchy.
- Concept records for ungraduated vessels that may hold liquids or solids
(e.g., pitchers) and thus be used for comparing
amounts, but whose primary purpose is to contain and not
to measure, are found in the Containers hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy has three main sections.
- Under <measuring devices by extent> are
concept records for instruments that measure aspects of the
dimensions, which include length, distance, area, thickness,
quantity, size, and time (e.g., tape measures, mantel
clocks, and calibrated containers such as measuring cups).
- Under <measuring devices for forces> are
concept records for devices that measure the four elemental forces
(electricity, gravity, magnetism, and the nuclear force)
and their manifestations, which include movement, pressure,
and weight (e.g., ammeters, flowmeters, balances).
- The <measuring devices for phenomena> section
contains concept records for heat-sensing devices (e.g., thermometers),
light-measuring devices (e.g., absorptiometers),
meteorological instruments (e.g., barometers),
and sound-measuring devices (e.g., audiometers).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors. End users will combine descriptors
and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Renaissance
+ brass (alloy) + astrolabes). For further
discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Containers hierarchy
Contains concept records for artifacts used to hold substances or
objects. Included are terms for containers intended for
culinary use, for horticultural use, for health care, hygiene,
and similar personal needs as well as terms for containers
associated with liturgical, funerary, and other ceremonial
activities. A concept record for a container is placed either with
respect to the item's earliest historical use or where the
term has its broadest meaning. Ancient vase shapes, however,
have been placed by their classical meaning or context,
even though in some instances the concept records may be applied
to preclassical or postclassical vessels.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for devices used to measure using standard
units or fixed amounts (e.g., measuring spoons) appear
in the Measuring Devices hierarchy.
- Large- and small-scale appliances and similar culinary
equipment (e.g., iceboxes, coffee makers) appear
in the Tools and Equipment hierarchy.
- Concept records for artifacts that may in some instances be considered
types of container (e.g., chests of drawers) but
which fall within the scope of other hierarchies, such
as Furnishings or Tools and Equipment, are excluded here.
- Organization
The hierarchy is organized into three major categories:
- <containers by form> includes general
types of container identified by their physical form (e.g.,
baskets, vessels).
- <containers by function or context> identifies
exclusive classes of container and enumerates specific
types within those classes (e.g., document containers,
storage containers).
- <containers by location> enumerates containers
defined by their placement (e.g., saddle bags, wall
pockets).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors. End users may use descriptors
and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., enameled
+ snuff boxes; coiled + pots; creamware
+ teacups). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
» Sound Devices hierarchy
Contains concept records for devices used to produce sound,
whether musical or nonmusical. This includes instruments
played in musical performance, those sounded in the context
of religious or other ceremonial occasions, sound producers
that are not primarily musical instruments but serve to
signal or communicate, and implements used with instruments
to produce sounds.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for sound pitch attributes (e.g., soprano, bass) are
found in the Design Attributes hierarchy.
- Terms for devices that produce sound but which constitute
integral building systems (e.g., burglar alarms, intercom
systems) are found in the Built Works Components hierarchy.
- Concept records for parts of sound devices (e.g., resonators,
mouthpieces) and for implements used to set the sound-producing
mechanism of a device into operation (e.g., plectra)
are found in the Object Components hierarchy.
- Organization
The hierarchy consists of three sections.
- Most concept records are found in the first section, <sound
devices by acoustical characteristics>. These represent
descriptors for devices that may serve musical and other
functions, arranged according to physical characteristics
of sound production (e.g., aerophones, chordophones,
electrophones, idiophones, membranophones).
- The second section is <sound devices by function>,
where are found concept records for devices serving one particular
purpose, such as musical instruments whose exclusive function
is music performance or production (e.g., stringed
instruments).
- The third section, <sound modifying devices>,
is for devices that substantially alter the quality of
sound produced by other means, such as the human voice
(e.g., kazoos).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use
descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g.,
alto + flutes, American colonial +
church + bell). For further discussion regarding
terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Recreational Artifacts hierarchy
Contains concept records for equipment and accessories used
in a large array of activities engaged in for personal satisfaction
or amusement during leisure time. Included are concept records
for such things as playthings and personal fitness equipment
and other devices used as pastimes or during competitive
play.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for sets of recreational artifacts (e.g., chess
sets) are found in the Object Groupings and Systems
hierarchy.
- Concept records for sports and athletic equipment worn on the
body (e.g., crash helmets) are found in the Costume
hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects used in sports but originally intended
or based closely on offensive or defensive weapons (e.g.,
épées, javelins) are found in the Weapons
and Ammunition hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects that can be used in sports or play
but are primarily or originally intended to carry people
or goods over a distance (e.g., sleds, canoes)
are found in the Transportation Vehicles hierarchy.
- Concept records of figural representation not intended as toys
are found in the Visual Works hierarchy (e.g., kachina
dolls).
- Organization
The hierarchy has two main sections.
- Concept records under the collocated heading <recreational
artifacts for competitive activities> are further
organized under <card, table and board game elements>
(e.g., gameboards, dice) and sports and
athletic equipment (e.g., bowling pins).
- The second broad heading, <recreational artifacts
for noncompetitive activities>, brings together
six categories: fitness and exercise equipment
(e.g., staff bars), noncompetitive play
equipment (e.g., kites), public
entertainment devices (e.g., pinball machines),
puppets, puzzles, and toys (recreational
artifacts).
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors as appropriate. Descriptors and
alternate descriptors are available for use in combination
with others (e.g., tin + toys; round
+ sandboxes). For further discussion regarding terms,
see 3.3 Terms.
» Transportation Vehicles hierarchy
Contains concept records for individual vehicles designed to carry
or convey merchandise, materials, or passengers across a
distance, whether on land or water, or through water, air,
or space.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for groupings of transportation vehicles (e.g., convoys)
or networks of transportation equipment (e.g., bus transit
systems) are found in the Object Groupings and Systems
hierarchy.
- Concept records that refer to constituent parts of vehicles (e.g.,
fuselages) are placed in the Components hierarchy.
- Concept records for objects that can be used to carry people
or goods but are primarily or originally intended for
sports or play (e.g., pedal cars) are found in
the Recreational Artifacts hierarchy.
- Concept records for farm or construction equipment, not originally
designed to transport, are found in the Tools and Equipment
hierarchy (e.g., bulldozers).
- Organization
Records are arranged into four sections:
- air and space transportation vehicles
collocates Concept records for aerospace vehicles, aircraft (e.g.,
blimps), and spacecraft (e.g. artificial satellites)
- amphibious vehicles
- land vehicles groups records by the
vehicles' form (e.g., carriages, freight cars)
and by their method of propulsion (e.g., horse-drawn
vehicles)
- Watercraft is further subdivided into a general type
(e.g., boats, ships) and specific type (e.g., Baltimore
clippers)
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may combine
descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g.,
oak + carts; yellow + taxicabs).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Visual Works hierarchy
Contains concept records for items that were originally created for
the purpose of communicating primarily visually and nonverbally,
especially those conveying a symbolic or expressive meaning
or an aesthetic experience. This includes pictorial and
sculptural works, as well as those time-based works, such
as performance art, that evolved within and are associated
with the visual arts. Some concept records in this hierarchy can refer
to either an object or an image; for example, in the case
of an object that is constructed of canvas, stretchers,
and frame specifically to support a painted image, the image
and the object both may be called a painting, whereas an
image painted on a piece of furniture may be called a painting,
but the supporting object is, for example, a chest of drawers
or a firescreen.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
In the Information Forms hierarchy are found concept records for items
that communicate by visual, nonverbal means, but whose purpose
is primarily informational (e.g., maps), including
certain prints that are associated with the reproduction
of documents and technical drawings (e.g., blueprints).
- Concept records for decorative elements may be found in the Design
Elements hierarchy (e.g., scrollwork) and the Components
hierarchy (e.g., acroteria). Architectural forms
that are primarily structural and secondarily sculptural
(e.g., caryatids) also appear in Components.
- Most concept records for the materials used in a work are in
the Materials hierarchy (e.g., canvas), although
if found objects or construction materials are used (e.g.,
dinner plates, I-beams) these descriptors appear
in locations appropriate to the item's original function.
- Concept records for the methods used to create a work (e.g.,
wet collodion process, carving) are in the Processes
and Techniques hierarchy.
- Regarding general classes of subject matter, other
concept records appear in various hierarchies, including Events
(e.g., war) and Associated Concepts (e.g., mythology).
- Organization
Under <visual works by form>, <visual
works by function>, and <visual works by location
or context> are terms that are not specific to one
medium (e.g., panoramas).
- Concept records for works in specific media (e.g., paintings)
are found under <visual works by medium or technique>.
- Under <visual works by subject type> are
concept records for conventional genres of subject matter, especially
those that exist in a variety of media (e.g. portraits).
- Throughout the hierarchy, the guide term <…by
form> is used to collocate terms that refer to
works based on their shape or arrangement; <…by
function> is used to collocate concept records that emphasize
how a work was originally used.
- <…by location or context> collocates
concept records that indicate where a work is found or used or,
if possible, where it was originally designed to be used.
- <…by material>, <…by medium>,
and <…by technique> collocate concept records
that designate a work by its constituent material or the
methods used to create it.
- <…by subject type> collocates concept records
that identify general types of works by their subject
matter.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use
descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g.,
Byzantine + icons; ink + drawings;
garden + sculpture; portrait + photographs).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
» Exchange Media hierarchy
Contains concept records for objects given a specific value to be
used in the exchange of goods and services and in the settlement
of debts. This includes items usable in a variety of circumstances,
whether in general circulation (e.g., coins) or items with
a more restricted use, often designated for the exchange
of specific goods and services (e.g., tickets) Most of the
terms are coin names.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for sets of exchange media (e.g., plate number
blocks) are found in the Object Groupings and Systems
hierarchy.
- Concept records that designate the materials used in fabricating
exchange media (e.g., cupronickel) are placed in
the Materials hierarchy.
- Concept records describing the ways exchange media are manufactured
(e.g., minting) are placed in the Processes and
Techniques hierarchy.
- In the Information Forms hierarchy are found concept records
for the various identifying symbols or abbreviations found
on various types of exchange medium (e.g., mintmarks)
as well as terms for business and financial records (e.g.,
stock certificates).
- Organization
Most of the descriptors in this hierarchy appear under money,
negotiable instruments, stamps (exchange media), and
tokens.
- The coins section of money is divided into <coins
by form or technique> (e.g., proof coins),
<coins by function> (e.g., Maundy money),
and <coins by origin>.
- <Coins by origin> is subdivided into regional,
historical, and cultural categories, such as Early
Western World coins (e.g., staters), Later
Western World coins (e.g., shillings),
and Asian coins (e.g., kobans).
(The chronological division between the Early Western
World and the Later Western World is the 7th to 8th centuries
CE when the Arabs and Franks undertook significant governmental
and financial restructuring, including the establishment
of new monetary systems.) Some subcategories under <coins
by origin> are further arranged into two lists,
one containing coins listed by denomination term (e.g.,
drachmas) and the second containing coins listed by
descriptive names generally applied in respect to specific
coin issues (e.g., antoniniani). Coin names are
not organized by individual countries, since coins with
the same name and denomination may be issued by more than
one government (e.g., francs) or may persist across
more than one historical period (e.g., solidi).
- Concept records at the same hierarchical level are listed
in alphabetical order by descriptor, unless a numerical order by denomination
can be used.
» Information Forms hierarchy
Contains concept records for textual, graphic, and physical items
whose primary and original purpose is to record or convey
specific information. The titles of particular texts are not included
unless they are also established forms of works, such as
the Korans or Bibles.
- Regarding other Hierarchies
Concept records for two- and three-dimensional works created to communicate
primarily visually, especially to communicate expressive
meaning rather than specific information, appear in the
Visual Works hierarchy (e.g., still lifes).
- Types of print used primarily to reproduce documents
and technical drawings (e.g., blueprints) which,
though produced by light-sensitive processes are not considered
photographs, appear here, while photographs and
photomechanical prints are found in Visual Works.
- Concept records for many types of financial documents are found
here, while items that specifically are used in the exchange
of goods or services or in the settlement of debts are
found in the Exchange Media hierarchy. » Organization
The hierarchy is organized into two major sections, document
genres and information artifacts.
- Under document genres are found concept records
that identify types of text or other intellectual content
regardless of what type of physical artifact contains
them. These items may be complete in themselves or parts
of larger wholes (e.g., a calendar may exist independently
or within an appointment book or elsewhere).
- Document genres itself is organized
into three categories. Under <document genres by
form> are descriptors that indicate some particular
manner in which the content of an informational item has
been arranged (e.g., lists). Under <document
genres by function> are descriptors that indicate
a specific purpose for which the item was created (e.g.,
instructional materials).
- Wherever possible, documents serving uniquely as records
in a particular type of context or institution are placed
in this section in the categories under records rather
than by their general form or function. Thus, for example,
marriage certificates appears as a narrower record
under marriage records rather than under certificates.
- <Document genres by conditions of production>
collocates concept records that emphasize the way in which an informational
item was formulated, prepared, or produced (e.g., collected
works).
- In the second major section of the hierarchy, information
artifacts collocates terms for the physical formats
and objects through which specific information is recorded
or conveyed (e.g., books). The section consists
of two categories: <information artifacts by physical
form>, collocating descriptors that emphasize the
physical nature of the object (e.g., cards), and
<information artifacts by function>, collocating
descriptors that denote the physical object and emphasize
the purpose for which it was created (e.g., posters.)
- Wherever possible concept records that refer to the intellectual
content of an item are placed in the document genres
portion of the hierarchy rather than with the terms
concerned with the physical forms of the artifacts. Thus,
for example, guidebooks appears under instructional materials
rather than under books.
- Descriptor Form and Use
Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided
as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use
descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g.,
plastic + relief maps; furniture +
pattern books; newspaper + advertisements).
For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
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3.1.1.6.13 |
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In the Brand Names facet
The Brand Names facet encompasses concept records for materials, processes, and objects having names that are under trademark protection. Concepts in this facet may not have hierarchical relationship with concepts in any other facet, although they may be linked through associative relationships. Most records in this facet are needed by the conservation community
(e.g., Crayola Cutter (TM), Photostat Machines (TM), Agfacolor (TM), Araldite (TM), Arches paper (R)), Mylar (TM).
- The Brand Names facet is divided into several sections: brand name additives, brand name biocides, brand name materials, brand name objects, brand name preservatives, brand name techniques and processes.
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3.1.1.6.14 |
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Multiple parents
The AAT is polyhierarchical. Records in the AAT may
be linked to multiple broader contexts (i.e., multiple
parents). An AAT record should have multiple broader contexts
when it logically fits into more than one section of the hierarchies. Assign multiple
parents to records in the AAT as necessary.
- Example
[for "aigrettes"]
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» Preferred parent
One parent must be flagged as preferred, to serve as a default in displays. Make the
preferred relationship to the parent that best fits the
precedent and logic of the AAT, including precedent described
in the section above.
- Children displaying with a non-preferred parent are flagged
with an upper-case N (for non-preferred) in
square brackets in the hierarchy display.
- Example
[the online display for "chapels," under
its non-preferred parent]
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[from the VCS full record for "chapels," showing
its two parents]
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- Example of using logic and precedent: In the example
below, stuccoists is best placed as a narrower term under
<people in crafts and trades by material> because
that BT most specifically defines the context and quality
of the term and this follows the logic of similar terms
in the AAT. Stucco is sculpture or decorative elements
worked in a particular kind of fine plaster. Its creators
are considered as fine craftsmen, often as artists. The
term denotes much more than someone who simply coats something
with a particular type of plaster. Yet plasterers'
scope note does, strictly speaking, cover the meaning of
stuccoists, so it becomes the alternate broader term.
- Examples
- <people in crafts and trades by material>
... stuccoists
- plasterers
... stuccoists [N]
- Alternate hierarchical relationships may be of
the genus/species or the whole/part type.
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3.1.1.6.16 |
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Whole/part relationships
A whole/part relationship may be an alternate hierarchical
relationship.
An alternate whole/part relationship should be made only when
the following conditions apply:
- When the part is necessary for understanding the whole,
or
- when the whole can only be understood in terms of or
is distinguished by virtue of the parts; and
- when the reference would be useful to potential users;
and
- when the parts are somehow different by their association
with the whole or are somehow special by virtue of being
part of this particular whole.
Example
stables
stalls (stable spaces) [N]
- It is required to flag whole/part relationships. See
Historical Flag below.
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3.1.1.6.17 |
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Historical parents
It is rare that you would need to add historical parents to
an AAT record. |
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3.1.1.6.16 |
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Positioning under a Candidate level/Temp. parent
» Incomplete warrant or unknown
scope
If you do not have enough warrant for a term or if you
cannot determine the scope or meaning of the term, put the
record under a candidate level (temp.parent) pending further
research. The examples below have insufficient warrant.
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» Using temp.parent only when
absolutely necessary
All records placed under a temp.parent are candidates;
i.e., they will not be published. Therefore, if your assigned
task is to place/move entities in the hierarchy, endeavor
to correctly position records in the publishable levels
of the hierarchy (instead of under temp.parents), as far
as time, priorities, and editorial priorities allow.
» Spelling temp.parent
Note that the spelling and punctuation of "temp.parent/"
MUST be consistent! This phrase is used by VCS and extraction
routines to identify candidate records.
» Candidates loaded under temp.parents
Note that the Loader positions candidate records under
temp.parents. Editors then move the records from temp.parents
to the correct position in the hierarchy.
- Caveat: If you create a "temp.parent"
that should not be published in the Candidate Report for
contributors on the Web (e.g., if the children are intended
for testing, deleted records, or otherwise should NOT be
visible to contributors) set the Problem flag to Yes.
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3.1.1.6.18 |
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Order among siblings
» Alphabetical order vs. forced
order
Within a given level (i.e., among siblings), records
are usually arranged alphabetically by the descriptor. In
some cases, however, the order may be "forced"
in order to display records by chronological or another
logical order. See Sort Order below.
- Example
[example of a forced order under Imperial (Roman)
styles and periods are ordered chronologically rather
than alphabetically]
- Top of the AAT hierarchies
.... Styles and Periods Facet
........ Styles and Periods
............ <styles and periods by region>
................ Early Western World
.................... Mediterranean
........................ <ancient Italian styles
and periods>
............................ ancient Italian periods
................................ Roman (ancient, style
or period)
.................................... Imperial (Roman)
........................................ Early Imperial
........................................ Augustan
........................................ Julio-Claudian
........................................ Flavian
........................................ Trajanic
........................................ Hadrianic
........................................ Antonine
........................................ Severan
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3.1.1.6.19 |
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Views of the hierarchy by language
» Vernacular view
The AAT currently displays with the preferred American
English descriptor. Implementors could display the British
English terms (when they differ from American English) if
they wished because the British English preferred terms
are flagged. The algorithm would select term where term language is 70053/British English; if none, select term where language is 70051/English Also, where there are currently enough descriptors
in other languages to allow display by these other languages, you may do so.
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3.1.2 |
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Sort Order (required-default) |
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3.1.2.1 |
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Definition
Number indicating the order in which a subject record will
sort among siblings in the hierarchy. |
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3.1.2.2 |
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Values
Numbers. |
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3.1.2.3 |
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RULES
- For alphabetic sorting, leave the Sort Order as 1 for
all siblings. Most hierarchies require alphabetic sorting.
- For forced sorting, move the siblings up and down the
list so that they will sort in the correct order. Numbers
must be sequential. Where there is a chronological component to the siblings, the order should be forced.
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3.1.3 |
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Historical Flags: Current or Historical
parents and other flags (required-default) |
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3.1.3.1 |
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Definition
Flag indicating the historical status of the parent/child
relationship, or another characteristic of the relationship. |
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3.1.3.2 |
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Values
Hierarchical relationships are usually current or historical
(flagged C or H), although others may occasionally apply.
- C - Current, H - Historical, B - Both, N/A - Not Applicable,
U - Undetermined
See Hierarchy Relationship Type to record BTP-Part/Whole,
BTG-Genus/Species, or BTI-Instantial.
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3.1.3.3 |
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Sources
Values are chosen by the editor from a controlled list. |
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3.1.3.4 |
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Discussion
If the relationship between a child concept and its parent concept was formerly true, but is no longer in place, flag the Historical relationship. |
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3.1.3.5 |
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RULES
- Choose the flag appropriate to the relationship. The default
flag for the relationship is Current. If the relationship
is not current, change it to the appropriate flag, which
will typically be Historical.
- Current: For relationships that still exist,
even though they may have been established long ago,
use Current. Most records in the AAT have the
flag set to Current.
- Historical: For a historical relationship
that no longer exists. Consult with your supervisor
before using this flag.
- Both: For a relationship that existed in the
past, the relationship was severed, and then established
again. Consult with your supervisor before using this
flag.
- N/A: Default flag.
- Unknown: This flag is used primarily for data
that is loaded into VCS. If you feel that Unknown
is appropriate in a given situation, consult with your
supervisor; it would be highly unusual for an editor
to know enough to make the relationship, but not enough
to know if it is current or historical.
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3.1.4 |
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Dates for relationship: Target child to its parents |
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3.1.4.1 |
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Definition
Dates delimiting the relationship between the child and its
parent. There are three fields: Display Date, Start
Date, and End Date.
- Examples
[example as it appears in VCS, for a Current relationship
to its parent, in the record for Early Imperial]
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[as it appears online; the Start and End Dates are not
shown to end users]
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3.1.4.2 |
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Values
Display Date is a free-text field.
- Start Date and End Date must contain valid years, validated
by VCS.
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3.1.4.3 |
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Sources
The dates should be determined using the same standard reference
works that supply other information in the record. |
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3.1.4.4 |
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Discussion
The Display Date usually refers to a period or date, however,
it may sometimes contain notes that do not explicitly make
reference to a date. In such cases, the note should implicitly
refer to a date or datable condition or event, because you
are required to include a Start Date and End Date with every
Display Date.
- Display dates are indexed with Start Date and End Date.
Start and End Dates are controlled by special formatting;
dates BCE are represented by negative numbers.
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3.1.4.5 |
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RULES
- Dates are not required. However, if you enter data in
any of the three fields, you must enter data in ALL three
of the fields.
- The dates appear on reciprocal links. That means that
the same dates will appear in BOTH records. Write the Display
Dates and assign Start and End Dates so that they will be
correct and unambiguous in both records. Repeat the names
of the places in the Display Date when necessary to avoid
ambiguity.
- A brief set of rules for Dates appears below. See also
Appendix B and Dates for Names in Chapter 3.3
Names.
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3.1.4.5.1 |
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Display Date
A short set of rules appears below. For further discussion
of Dates, see Appendix B.
- Follow the style of existing Display Dates.
- Examples
- Display Date: the term "dinos"
was formerly used to refer to a cup rather than a
bowl
Start Date: -1000 End Date: 1900
- Display Date: Heracleopolitan period lasted
2130 to 1970 BCE
Start Date: -2130 End Date: -1970
- Do not use an initial capital, unless the word is a proper
name.
- Do not use full sentences; do not end the display date
with a period or any other punctuation.
- Ideally, the display date should refer, explicitly or
implicitly, to a time period or date associated with the
link between child and parent.
- If a date is uncertain, use a broad or vague designation
(e.g., ancient) or words such as ca. and probably.
- In some cases, the Display Date may be used to record
unusual or important information about the hierarchical
relationship (see the example below), not even referring
explicitly to a date. However, dates should be implicit
in the condition or event mentioned and you should have
a period or date in mind, because - if you record a Display
Date - Start and End dates are required.
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3.1.4.5.2 |
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Start Date and End Date
Use dates that most broadly delimit the span of time of the
relationship referred to in the display date. In many cases,
the years will be approximate years. When in doubt, it is
better to estimate too broad a span rather than too narrow
a span. See the Date Authority in Appendix B
for approximate dates of historic events and entities; you
should also consult other, related records in AAT to establish
dates.
- Dates must be expressed in the proleptic Gregorian calendar,
which is the Gregorian calendar projected back in time before
it came into existence.
- Express dates BCE by negative numbers, using a hyphen
before the number. Do not use commas or any other punctuation.
- For current relationships, use the End Date 9999.
- For very ancient dates, expressed as years ago
or before present in the Display Date, translate
these dates into approximate years in the proleptic Gregorian
calendar for the Start and End Dates.
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3.1.5 |
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Parent String (required-default) |
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3.1.5.1 |
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Definition
A listing of parents, often used in displays enclosed in parentheses
following the name of the place. |
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3.1.5.2 |
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Values
Preferred name and other names from the parents' records. |
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3.1.5.3 |
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Sources
Values are automatically generated by the system. |
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3.1.5.4 |
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Discussion
The Parent String may be automatically concatenated by by an algorithm. Although the editor does
not directly create parent strings, note that the choices
you make for the preferred name, preferred English name, and
Display Name affect the way in which parent strings are created.
- The parent string for AAT is generally displayed in natural
order rather than inverted order. Given that the strings
may be so long, the middle levels are often omitted in horizontal
displays; an ellipsis is used to indicate levels are missing
(see example below).
- The Parent String is combined with the preferred
term of the target AAT record in the Label. For displays
to users, the qualifier, if any, must also be included.
- Examples
[parent string in natural order for friendly usability]
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[parent strings with levels omitted, indicated by ellipsis]
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3.1.5.5 |
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RULES
- The rules for creating the Parent String and Label are
applicable to the automated process only. Editors need be
concerned only with creating records that will have the
correct data required for the algorithm to create parent
strings and labels.
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3.1.6 |
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Facet or Hierarchy Code |
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3.1.6.1 |
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Definition
A special thesaurus code required by some catalogers who use
the AAT. |
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3.1.6.2 |
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Values
Alpha code with periods. |
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3.1.6.3 |
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Sources
System generated. |
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3.1.6.4 |
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Discussion
In early releases of the AAT, alpha-numeric codes were used
to allow the construction of the hierarchies. Even though
these codes are no longer needed for that purpose in current
releases, cataloging practice for some institutions still
requires the inclusion of the facet and hierarchy codes, which
are therefore included for the convenience of these users.
In the past, each Classification Notation consisted of three
parts, separated by periods: an alpha-character facet code,
an alpha-character hierarchy code, and a series of codes for
the particular line containing the descriptor. The first two
of these codes is retained as the Facet/Hierarchy Code (illustrated
below).
- Given that the AAT changes and grows, and, therefore
Classification Notations were regenerated for each new release,
this system for building hierarchies was difficult for users
to maintain over time; it has been replaced with links between
the Subject_ID and Parent_ID, which are unique, consistent
numeric codes.
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3.1.6.5 |
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RULES
- Codes are system-generated, however, a list of codes appears
below, for your information.
Codes:
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B |
ASSOCIATED CONCEPTS FACET |
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B.BM |
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Associated Concepts |
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D |
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES FACET |
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D.DC |
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Attributes and Properties |
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D.DE |
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Conditions and Effects |
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D.DG |
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Design Elements |
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D.DL |
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Color |
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F |
STYLES AND PERIODS FACET |
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F.FL |
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Styles and Periods |
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H |
AGENTS FACET |
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H.HG |
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People |
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H.HL |
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Living Organisms |
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H.HN |
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Organizations |
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K |
ACTIVITIES FACET |
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K.KD |
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Disciplines |
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K.KG |
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Functions |
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K.KM |
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Events |
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K.KQ |
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Physical and Mental Activities |
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K.KT |
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Processes and Techniques |
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M |
MATERIALS FACET |
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M.MT |
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Materials |
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V |
OBJECTS FACET |
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V.PC |
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Object Groupings and Systems |
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V.PE |
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Object Genres |
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V.PJ |
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Components |
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Built Environment |
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V.RD |
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Settlements and Landscapes |
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V.RG |
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Built Complexes and Districts |
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V.RK |
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Single Built Works |
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V.RM |
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Open Spaces and Site Elements |
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Furnishings and Equipment |
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V.TC |
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Furnishings |
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V.TE |
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Costume |
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V.TH |
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Tools and Equipment |
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V.TK |
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Weapons and Ammunition |
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V.TN |
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Measuring Devices |
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V.TQ |
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Containers |
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V.TT |
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Sound Devices |
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V.TV |
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Recreational Artifacts |
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V.TX |
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Transportation Vehicles |
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Visual and Verbal Communication |
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V.VC |
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Visual Works |
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V.VK |
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Exchange Media |
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V.VW |
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Information Forms |
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3.1.7 |
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Relationship Type for Hierarchy |
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3.1.7.1 |
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Definition
Indicates the type of relationship between a hierarchical child and its parent, expressed in the jargon of controlled vocabulary standards. An example of genus/species relationship is calcite is a type of mineral (AAT). An example of a whole/part relationship is Tuscany is a part of Italy (TGN). An example of the instance relationship is Rembrandt van Rijn is an example of a Person (ULAN). |
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3.1.7.2 |
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Values
G=Genus/Species (generic), P=Whole/Part (partitive), I=Instance |
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3.1.7.3 |
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Sources
Automatically generated by the system; edited by Vocabulary editor if necessary. |
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3.1.7.4 |
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Discussion |
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-
Values were automatically supplied when the data was updated in the 5.0 deployment.
-
Genus/Species relationships: The BTG - genus/species or generic relationship is the most common relationship in the AAT. All children in a genus/species relationship should be a kind of, type of, or manifestation of the parent (compare instance (instantial) relationships below). The placement of a child may be tested by the all/some argument. In the example of bronze below, all architectural bronze is bronze, but only some bronze is architectural bronze.
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Whole/part relationships: The BTP - Whole/Part relationship, also called a partitive relationship is a hierarchical relationship between a larger entity and a part or component. In the context of cataloging art, it typically occurs in Work records in CONA, in Corporate Body records in ULAN, and in place records in TGN (for example, Florence is part of Tuscany). Each child should be a part of the parent and all the other ancestors above it.
In the AAT, there are occasionally whole/part relationships between a whole and its component. The most common example is when a section of the Components hierarchy is also listed under a non-preferred parent for the concept of which is would logically be a part. This allows the components to be linked to the whole, while retaining the original structure of AAT, which places components separately in the Components Hierarchy. In the example below, the Hierarchy Relationship Type between costume (mode of fashion) and costume components [N] is BTP - Whole/Part.
- Example
[Hierarchy Relationship Type is BTP - Whole/Part for costume components]
+ Costume (hierarchy name)
....costume (mode of fashion)
+ ........<costume by wearer>
+ ........<costume by material>
+ ........<costume by form>
+ ........costume components [N]
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Instance relationships: The third type of hierarchical relationship is the BTI - Instantial relationship, also called the instance relationship. This is most commonly seen in vocabularies where proper names are organized by general categories of things or events, for example, in ULAN where the proper names of people and corporate bodies are placed under general Facets or categories for Persons and Corporate Bodies. Currently there are no BTI relatonships in AAT.
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3.1.7.5 |
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RULES
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[1]Required-default"
indicates that a default is automatically set, but should
be changed by the cataloguer as necessary. |
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Last updated 7 August 2024
Document is subject to frequent revisions |
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