## Recording Form

Having entered the recording form by way of the three initial forms that allow the user to select and record site data, the recording form is then presented, ready to immediately record specimens.

The following fields are required: Bone ID, Context, Species, Element and Fragment Count. All others may be left blank if desired.

Bone ID
This field is automatically generated by the database, and cannot be altered by the user. It consists of a prefix of the site code already selected, followed by an automatically incremented number. In addition to each specimen in the database having the relevant site code, no number is used twice. Some users may not like this option, preferring to record all specimens from one site in numerical order, starting from "1". They can instead create a new database for different sites, using a blank copy of the application. These separate files can easily be compared for later analysis.

Context Number
The context field permits entry of an alphanumeric context number. Within each recording session, the context number defaults to the value entered on the previous record, meaning that the user only has to type in the context number when they start recording specimens from a new context, or when they start a recording session.

Because the database can contain records from different sites, the context numbers need to be prefixed by their respective site codes. However, the user only has to enter the context number itself; the system will prefix it with the site code if the user doesn't do so.

If a new context number is entered, it is recommended that the user then records relevant information using the Context Form button. However, if no contextual information is known, then this form can be ignored. Context data can then be entered or imported at a later date.

Sample Number
This field allows users to enter a ten character alphanumeric sample number or code, although the field can be left blank. As with the context number field, within each recording session the database defaults to the value entered in the previous record, thereby limiting the quantity of typing required.

Species
Unless the context or sample numbers have to be altered, this will often be the first field to be recorded. If the user knows the species code they require, they can type it in; otherwise, they can click on the downward-facing arrow of the combo box to display the drop down list of all species in the system, and select one by clicking on it. If the user enters a value that isn't in the list, they are then prompted to use the customise form to properly enter this new species into the system.

If no context and sample numbers have been entered at this point, their fields will automatically be filled with the default values determined from the previous record, and the Bone ID number will appear. (Unless a recording session is just beginning, whereupon the user will be prompted to enter a context number if they have not already done so.)

Element
Depending on the choice of species, the element combo box will only list the elements relevant to that class of animal. This saves on recording time, as there are over 200 elements to choose from in the elements lookup table. Elements can be selected either by typing in the relevant code, or by using the mouse to select an item. In common with the species field, if the user enters a value that isn't in the list, they are prompted to formally record this new element by using the customise form.

If the selected element is one that has a relevant diagnostic zone form, this will then open for the user to select which zones are present. See the list of all elements and species with diagnostic zones for further information.

Side
Users can then select the relevant side from the combo box, or by typing in the abbreviation. Again, entering a value that isn't in the list prompts the user to open the customise form.

Fragment Count
This field defaults to a quantity of 1, although users are welcome to record multiple specimens at one time.

Quantification Code
The Quantification Code, or QC, cannot be altered by the user, and is displayed here simply to remind the user of the value for the chosen species/element combination. The QC is set in the element lookup table, and although it can be modified by use of the customise form, this is not recommended. See the QC explanation page for further information.

Zones
This field automatically records any zones selected using the diagnostic zone forms, launched automatically or upon selection of the Zone Diagrams button. If the user has a thorough knowledge of the zone system, they can type in the relevant number and letter combinations if they prefer. Although it is also possible to record text of up to 20 characters relating to the completeness of the element in this field, this field is best left blank if the diagnostic zone system does not apply - particularly if MNE reports are to be generated.

Fusion and Age
Proximal and distal fusion values can be chosen from the respective combo boxes, or typed in manually. Again, if the user enters a value that isn't on the list, they are prompted to open the customise form. However, it is recommended that only 'fused', 'fusing' and 'unfused' be recorded here, with further age-related fusion recorded in the Age combo box. General age categories can be recorded here for those specimens without epiphyses as well. Horncore age categories (following Armitage 1982) can also be recorded using these general age categories.

### Metrics

Weight
The weight should be recorded for all specimens, up to a precision of 0.01g if possible. Weight can also be recorded at the context level.

Maximum Linear Dimension
This is a measure of the specimen's size along its longest axis, recorded to the nearest 0.01mm. This measurement is normally only taken for specimens with a QC of 1, and to remind users of this, the label on this field is grey for other QC values. However, values can still be recorded for any specimen. This field is optional, as some zooarchaeologists may not wish to systematically record the MLD for all assemblages.

Fish Size
This is normally recorded for all fish of QC 1 or 4, and all fish with cut marks. It is not possible to record a value here if the class is not fish. It is an estimation of the total length of the fish, based on comparative material, and can be selected from the combo box or entered directly. It is not normally recorded for vertebrae, unless modified in some way, or unless its position in the vertebral column is known with accuracy.

Measurements
The Measurements button enables the user to record a variety of measurements for any specimen. Depending on the choice of species and element, one of three forms could be launched:

- mammal and bird measurements
- fish measurements
- unusual measurements

The majority of the measurements follow von den Driesch (1976), although fish measurements are based on a variety of sources (see Barrett 2001).

### Taphonomy

Gnawing etc.
This combo box contains entries relating to gnawing, acid etching and root damage. Data can be entered either through typing in the abbreviations, or by choosing from the combo box. The contents of this field can be augmented by use of the customise form. If more specific information is known about gnawing (ie. species), this information is best recorded in the 'Notes' field.

Recovery
This field, also duplicated on the context recording form, allows users to record the way in which each specimen was recovered; included in the list are a variety of sieve sizes, and values such as 'hand collected', or 'varies'. Users may add additional values, especially for material that has been sieved, by making use of the customise form.

This field automatically defaults to the value set in the previous record, as it is likely that a batch of specimens will be recovered in the same way. However, this value will have to be manually entered when recording the first specimen in any one recording session.

Texture
This field contains four ordinal categories, from 'excellent' to 'poor'. These refer to the texture of the bone, and the full definitions are as follows:

- 1: Excellent: majority of surface fresh or even slightly glossy; very localized flaky or powdery patches.
- 2: Good: lacks fresh appearance but solid; very localized flaky or powdery patches.
- 3: Fair: surface solid in places, but flaky or powdery on up to 49% of specimen.
- 4: Poor: surface flaky or powdery over >50% of specimen.

Alternative values can be added by using the customise form, but use of the default values is recommended in the interest of inter-site comparisons.

Burning
This field can contain a variety of descriptions referring to the colour of burnt bone. Although it currently only contains two values, users may make use of the customise form to add additional ones.

Completeness
This field is used in conjunction with the 'Zones' field in order to estimate a specimen's completeness. Although this is a qualitative measurement, experienced zooarchaeologists will be able to determine it with a high degree of accuracy. As with other fields, users can add their own categories using the customise form.

Articulations
A group of specimens that articulate can be recorded as such by using this check box, as illustrated left. Each bone can have its own details recorded, but a link is made (by Access) in the main recording table between each of the identification numbers in the articulation sequence. The only requirement is that all specimens that articulate together are recorded in sequence. This check box can be ignored for specimens that do not articulate.

When the articulation box is checked, the number of the first specimen of the articulation is displayed on the screen. This remains in place until the box is un-checked following the recording of the last specimen of the articulation. This is illustrated on the right.

This information can be used in a variety of ways; filters can be applied to the data to just examine the articulations in an assemblage, they can be counted and sorted, reports can be prepared, etc. Because of the way in which this data is recorded, if the user tries to view previously-recorded records using this function, it will appear that articulations have not been recorded. This is not the case, and users are reminded of the viewing form.

Recent Information
This field contains a variety of categories relating to the recent history of the specimen. If it has been removed from the assemblage, or photographed, these alterations can be flagged here. Likewise, if any specimens are conserved in any way, this field could be used to record that event. Users can enter additional categories using the customise form.

Notes
Finally, the notes field can be used to record any other particulars about each specimen, including information such as sex, or provenance beyond context and sample. If any additional space is required, scroll bars will appear on the right edge of the field.

### Buttons

The right side of this form contains a series of buttons to launch sub-forms. Included in these are:

- butchery
- pathologies and non-metrical variations, and
- tooth wear

The tooth wear form is launched upon selection of a combination of the following:

Species Elements
cow, cow?,
pig, pig?,
sheep/goat,
sheep, sheep?,
goat, goat? mandible (incorporating
DP4, P4,
M1, M1/M2, M2 and M3),
incisor*, canine*

*Incisors and canines are included in the tooth wear form because their presence or absence can indicate sex. See the teeth recording page for more details.

Buttons are also present to produce a New record (although the navigation arrows at the bottom of the form may also be used), to Delete a record, or to Close the form.