## Introduction to The York System

The York System is a computerised database application that allows archaeological animal bone assemblages to be recorded in a quick and efficient manner. The system runs in Microsoft's Access 2000 (and later versions).

The recording methodology is based on a revised version of the mammal and bird recording protocol developed by the Environmental Archaeology Unit, University of York (Dobney, Jaques and Johnstone 1999). The fish recording protocol is based on Dr. James Barrett's FISH 1.1 (2001).

This screenshot shows the basic user interface, the Main Recording Form. From this, various other forms can be launched, including tooth wear, butchery, pathologies and non-metrical variations, context information, etc.

A system of diagnostic zones is used for many of the commonly found species and elements. This allows users to record the parts of the bone that are present, by using the mouse or keyboard. Tooth wear stages are similarly recorded using a series of buttons that can be clicked, or selected with the keyboard.

The above image shows the pelvis diagnostic zones form.

The York System is different from most other computer-based recording systems that predate it, in that users can customise almost all aspects of the system. Although by default the application includes many of the mammals, fish and birds that are found on most British archaeological sites, new species can quickly be added. Additional flexibility is included by allowing customisation of several categories, including element, side, fusion, measurements, taphonomic data, context information, pathologies, non-metrical variations, butchery, teeth, etc. This customisation can take place before or during the recording process.

This image shows the element page of the customisation form.