General Remarks
The
query form enables you to retrieve object records by virtually
any combination of fields present in the database.
Query
Results
The query parameters
entered on the form are summarized in query language at
the top of every result page. Read the query statement to
be sure that the query being processed is what you intended.
Some browsers have a tendency to "remember" parameters
from previous queries. Press the Clear button between
queries to clear previously used parameters.
Number
of Records
The number of records
retrieved by every query is reported immediately after the
query feedback (near the top of the page) as the results
are being formatted. If the number returned is much larger
than you expected or want to wait for, press the "STOP"
button on your browser to cancel the query. You can create
a more restrictive query by adding additional criteria to
the form.
Retrieval
Limit
The number of records
retrieved is limited to 1000 in order to prevent "excessive
resource consumption" by a single user and to prevent
browser crashes; large result sets can cause some computers
to lock up.
QUERY
FIELDS:
Category
A single-select list box. Most artifacts fall into several
categories, making these divisions subjective. For our purposes
the categories are very broad. For example, TEXTILES includes
the tools and dye materials used in making textiles along
with the textiles themselves, while the category WATERCRAFT
includes life-sized boats as well as models. If this field
is used alone to search, you will end up with several hundred
or several thousand entries. This field is best used
in conjunction with other fields in order to clarify
and narrow down search results. For example, use the POTTERY
category with the "Culture" field to find all
ceramics made by the Navajo tribal group.
Object
Name
A text box. This is the name under
which an object is cataloged. Begin by searching with general
terms, using more specific terms as needed. If you are not
successful, try simplifying searches by using root words such
as HAT instead of HATS. This field contains an automatic wild
card, returning any records that contain the query text. For
example if you type in FISH, the query will retrieve "fishing
pole," "fish hook," "fishing net,"
etc.
Materials
A text box. This field lists the material(s) of which
the object is composed. This field contains an automatic wild
card, returning any records that contain the query text. For
example if you type in WOOD, the query will retrieve objects
solely made from wood as well as objects made from wood and
other materials. If a specific material cannot be found, such
as "granite," search on "stone" to find
unidentified stone objects.
Maker's
Name
A text box. This field lists the known maker/artist of
an object. This field contains an automatic wild card, returning
any records that contain the query text. For example if you
query on GEORGE, the query will retrieve records listing "George
Aden Ahgupuk," "George Cochise" and "Davin
George" as the maker of an object. If you are not sure
about the spelling of a name, you can search on a portion
of the name, such as "Ah" to find all objects made
by "George Ahgupuk." It is recommended that you
use last names only or first names only to search in this
field, NOT a combination of both. If you search on first and
last names together, use a percent % sign between the names
in order to call up records which include middle names as
well. For example, searching on "Lucy%Lewis" will
retrieve all records listing "Lucy Martin Lewis."
Collection
A single-select list box. Choose from a drop-down list
of eight significant collections donated by a particular donor.
(These collections do not represent all objects from a particular
culture area.) Only use this field if you are researching
these specific collections, otherwise, use a more general
search. This field is best used in conjunction with other
fields in order to clarify and narrow down search results.
For example, search on "Elkus Collection" with "baskets"
in the category field to find all baskets donated by the Elkus
family. To find out more about these highlighted collections,
click here.
Catalog
Number
Catalog
numbers are unique values assigned to each object by the
Department of Anthropology. These values must be known in
order to search this field. Catalog numbers are preceded
by "CAS" and contain either two or three segments,
with each segment made up of four digits. This field contains
an automatic wild card, eliminating the need to type in
"CAS" before every catalog number. However, because
each number segment contains four digits, zeroes must be
added when necessary. For example 370-12 should be entered
as "0370-0012" and 1988-12-2 should be entered
as "1988-0012-0002."
Culture
A text box. Query on the name of a culture associated
with production and/or use of an object. This field contains
an automatic wild card, returning any records that contain
the query text. For example if you query on SIOUX, the query
will retrieve records listing "Sioux," "Dakota
Sioux" and "Lakota Sioux" in the culture field.
Begin with broad, general terms for more results.
Global
Region
A single-select list box. Each
object has been assigned to a global region. Use this field
in conjunction with other fields to narrow down your query
results. For example query on BASKET and NORTH AFRICA to further
define your search results.
Country
A text box. The name of a primary political unit.
State/Province/District
A text box. The name of a secondary political unit, typically
a province, district, or state name.
County
A text box. The name of a tertiary political unit, when
known.
Other
Geographic Data
A text box. The name of additional location information,
such as an island, pueblo, city or town, or archaeological
site, when known.
Images
A check-box. When the box is checked, the query will
only retrieve records with images. When the box is left
empty, the query will retrieve all appropriate records.
(When searching under the Brief Records option (see Display
Options, below), records which include images will be listed
as "True" in the images column. Records
without images will be listed as "False" in the
images column.) Currently, more than 14,000 images are available
online, representing over 90% of the total collection.
Digital photography of the collection
is an ongoing project.
Display
Options
Two pairs of radio buttons. The first pair is Multiple
Pages / Single Page. Choose Multiple Pages if you would
like the results displayed 20 per page, one page at a time.
If you would like all the results displayed on one page, choose
Single Page. The second pair of buttons is
Brief Records / Full Records. Brief Records will display
only a few fields of data for each record, while Full Records
will display all available data, including any image, for
all records retrieved. (The full record of any retrieved item
can be accessed by clicking on "Details" under a
Brief Records search.) Be warned that choosing Single Page
and Full Records can take a long time to download if there
are a large number of records with images.
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