## Context Recording

The context recording form is opened by selecting the Context Form button on the main recording form.

Depending on the data available at the time of recording, it may be preferable to ignore this form completely, and only enter context information at a later date (see below).

Site Code and Context
These values are transferred directly from the main recording form, and cannot be altered by the user. These values are also the only ones that must be entered; all others can remain blank.

Context description
This field can be used to record any information about the context, including the type, its location, interpretative conclusions, etc. If more space is needed, a scroll bar will appear on the right side of this field.

Phase
This is a 25 character field allowing the user to record any information relevant to the phase of each context.

Type
This is a 25 character field in which the user can record the type of context present.

Recorder
This field allows the user to enter their initials, up to five characters in length.

Data
The current date is automatically recorded in this field, although the user can alter it to record a different date.

General notes
This field can be used to record any information that isn't covered by the following fields. A scroll bar will appear on the right, if more space is needed.

Texture and Notes
This combo box is used to record the general level of preservation, measured by texture, at the context level. Users can either type in a value, or select one from those in the drop down list. Users should use the 'variable' category if less than 90% of the fragments are not from the same category, while additional categories can be added by using the customise form. The 'notes' field can be used to elucidate this information.

Angularity and Notes
This combo box is used to record the general angularity of the assemblage at the context level. Users can either type in a value, or select one from the drop down list. Users should use the 'variable' category if less than 90% of the fragments are not from the same category, while additional categories can be added by using the customise form. The 'notes' field can be used to elucidate this information.

Colour and Notes
This combo box is used to record the general colour of the assemblage at the context level. Users can either type in a value, or select one from the drop down list. Users should use the 'variable' category if less than 90% of the fragments are not from the same category, while additional categories can be added by using the customise form. The 'notes' field can be used to elucidate this information.

Recovery
This field is used to record the general level of recovery for the context, and is duplicated at the specimen level of recording (see the recording page), although recorded separately. Included in this list are a variety of sieve sizes, as well as values such as 'hand collected'. If recovery varies within a context, the 'varies' category should be used. Additional values can be added to the list using the customise form; this is particularly relevant if different sieve sizes are used.

### Fragmentation and Modifications

These seven fields are all linked to the same lookup table, and as such all display the same list.

The three fragmentation categories are used to record the general proportion of fragmentation at the context level; for each of the three size categories, the user can estimate the percentage of that size within the context as a whole. For example, if the context consists of about 40% fragments less than 5cm in size, 55% fragments between 5 and 20cm, and 5% fragments greater than 20cm, then '2', '5' and '0' will be recorded in the relevant fields.

The four 'modification' categories -- carnivore gnawing, burning, butchery and fresh breaks -- use the same classification system to record the proportions of the context that are affected.

Categories can be added by using the customise form.

Weight Data
The context form contains a button to launch the Weight by Context Recording Form. This allows the user to record the weights of various groupings of specimens.

## Entering Context Data after Recording

If little or no context information is available at the time of recording, it can still be included when it becomes available. Users can either open the context recording form (called RecContext) or the *ContextInfo* table and type in the data, or they can import a database, spreadsheet or text file (using File | Get External Data | Import...). The *ContextInfo* table contains the following fields: context number (site code "-" context), site code alone, context number alone, description, phase and type. However, this is only recommended for more experienced users, as the quickest way of importing data and ensuring integrity is to replicate the *ContextInfo* table, copy over all relationships using the Relationships window, and delete the original *ContextInfo* table. For more information, see the database navigation page.