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The Database - Explanation of Fields

Listed below are the fields used to record figurines originally recorded on an Access database. The values used in the various fields are given and explained where necessary. A screenshot sample record (PDF) from the Access database is also provided. For the purposes of this publication, the data set has been made available for query online.

IDUnique Figurine ID number
Grid reference4 figure grid refenence
Project typeChance, Metal detector, Field walking, Excavation, Unknown.
CountyCurrent name of county.
County previouslyUsed if the current county name differs from the one under which the object was published.
SiteArea location, usually a town or parish.
Site nameSpecific site location (e.g. village, farm, street address) or published name.
Site typeColonia, Civitas capital, London, Small town, Villa, Rural, Military, Religious, Unknown.
Location typeGeneral location type within the site, such as building or road.
ContextSpecific context, such as pit or layer.
Context quality 0 – only the general location (perhaps a two or four figure grid reference) of the find is known, used for metal-detector and chance finds, or for finds of uncertain provenance
1 – location known for metal-detector, field walking and chance finds (six figure grid reference or better)
2 – excavated find from a poor context such as ploughsoil
3 – excavated find from a known, sealed context.
Site dateApproximate date range of occupation at the site
Context dateDate given to the context in which the figurine was found
Object dateApproximate date of production of the figurine
Object period-1 is used for the Iron Age, otherwise the number equals the latest century for the figurine. Thus a figurine dated to the 1st or 2nd century AD would have a value of 2. A value of 9 was assigned to figures pre-dating the Roman period that were probably recently imported and a value of 10 to figurines of post-medieval date.
MaterialBronze, Iron, Lead, Silver, Gold.
Secondary materialAttributes or decoration of different material such as silvering, gilding, enamel or glass insets.
Other findsAny finds found specifically with the figurine, particularly other figurines or objects such as coins that might be used to date the context.
ImportIs the figurine thought to be imported from the Continent - Yes/No
Place of manufactureSuggested country of manufacture
LocationCurrent location if known, e.g. museum, private hands.
Reference NumberMuseum accession number, PAS database number, or Heritage Environment Record number.
Male/femaleMale or female figurine (or displaying qualities of)
AgeChild, Youth, Mature, Elderly
FormFigurine, Bust, Votive (objects such as caducei), Attachment, Head, Fragment (if it is not certain whether the piece is from a figurine).
TypeDeity, Human, Composite (e.g. horse and rider), Animal, Bird, Other, Unknown.
NameSpecific name of deity, bird or animal.
AliasesWhen a figurine has been published under more than one name.
BeardedYes, No
StandingStanding, Seated, Reclining.
HeadgearHelmet, petasos, diadem, wreath, veil etc.
OtherTorc or other jewellery.
AttributesYes, No, Missing.
Attribute descriptionList of attributes of the figurine including physical (e.g. head wings) and objects (e.g. spear, shield, patera, purse)
Is an attribute ofIf an object, bird or animal is associated with a particular deity (e.g. caducei, cockerels and rams are associated with Mercury).
ClothedYes, No.
Clothing descriptionDescription of the clothing worn by the figurine
DraperyYes, No.
Drapery descriptionDescription of the drapery on the figurine
ClassicalYes, No.
Quality Classical 1 – highly classical in style, generally thought to be imported.
Classical 2 – a similarly classical piece which might or might not be imported.
Classical 3 – a well-executed piece but without the finish of the high-quality pieces. The proportions might not be correct, or the details somewhat clumsily rendered.
Stylised 1 – these pieces often have crude facial features, slightly stylised drapery, 'mitten' hands and feet in which no details of fingers or toes are depicted, and inaccurate proportions such as overly large shoulders or hands, small heads and feet. Bent limbs are often too small or attenuated in comparison with a straight limb.
Stylised 2 – stylised pieces in which many of the animals are depicted in a La Tène style with long, thin bodies. Human figures are often not recognisable classical deities.
Stylised 3 – somewhat stylised pieces, but with a particular naïve style that may be Romano-British.
PhotographYes, No.
IllustrationYes, No.
Heightin millimetres.
Lengthin millimetres.
PrototypeIf the figure is based on a classical statue produced by a sculptor such as Praxiteles the prototype and sculptor are given.
ParallelsBritish and Continental parallels, with ID number if the parallel is also recorded on the database.
ReferencesPublished and unpublished references.
DescriptionGeneral description of the figurine by author and/or other references
PAS idPAS database number with link to relevant entry in PAS database.

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