## Multiple Recording

The system permits the recording of multiple specimens under one bone ID number, thus saving time and effort if recording many identical specimens. Also, the system allows the user to create more than one entry using the same bone ID number in a variety of tables - this means that one bone ID can have several different butchery marks recorded for it, or several separate pathologies and non-metrical variations entered. A series of measurements can also be recorded for one bone ID (particularly relevant for the unusual measurements form as each record only contains one measurement).

This feature provides extra flexibility to zooarchaeologists, who may be used to recording batches of specimens together, rather than on an individual basis. However, in some cases users may prefer to record specimens individually. For example, if there are four complete sheep/goat astragali to be recorded, they could be entered under one bone ID, with a count of four. Measurements could be recorded for all four, by using the New Record button on the mammal and bird measurements form. Because all four specimens were recorded together, there is then no way of tracing which measurements belonged to which astragalus. Although this may not be of significance in most cases, if only one of these astragali had a pathology there would then be no mechanism for connecting that pathology to the relevant set of measurements. In a similar case, if these four astragali were again recorded under the same bone ID, but had six pathologies between them, there would be no way of determining if one astragalus had all six pathologies, or if they were spread between the four astragali. In cases like these, the recording of one specimen under one bone ID would be preferable.

Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide if they are going to record multiple specimens under one bone ID; the mechanism is in place for them to do so.