A computerised approach to the recording of graphical zooarchaeological data, particularly fragmentation and butchery, has been regularly mooted as the way forward for the handling of graphical zooarchaeological data. Popkin (2005) established a series of standardised line templates which, although held in a digital format, are essentially for printing and use as a paper-based recording system. Marean et al. (2001) and Abe et al. (2002) did pioneer a truly computer based system for the recording and analysis of fragments and butchery marks. This system, linked to a database, allowed computerised recording of fragments and butchery marks and incorporated the analysis of fragmentation to establish a MNI (Minimum Number of Individuals) and butchery mark distribution. However the system, based in ArcView (ESRI 2005) mapping software, could be viewed as expensive and complicated to implement. Additionally the application was developed in an early version of ArcView (3.3) using the programming script ("Avenue") for its routines and it has now been superseded by the later versions of the ArcView software. Using a widely available, moderately priced, graphics software package an approach has been developed as the basis of a practical graphical recording system for zooarchaeological data. Based on a series of image templates and the use of layers, the approach has potential to develop computerised recording, extend the analysis and reporting of these types of data and also as a basis for standardisation of recording. The procedure has been introduced and explained in a web based document http://www.archaeographica.com/templates/ that also includes a short PowerPoint presentation to support the description as well as supplementary evaluation material including templates and instruction so that interested persons may undertake further evaluation on their own computers. Envisaged as an additional tool available to the zooarchaeologist the presentation has been made specifically to invite comment and criticism of the approach and to seek suggestions of other useful facilities that such an approach could incorporate.

References

 Abe, Y., C.W. Marean, P.J. Nilssen, Z. Assefa and E.C. Stone. 2002. The analysis of cutmarks on archaeofauna: a review and critique of quantification procedures and a new image analysis GIS approach. American Antiquity 67(4): 643-663.
 ESRI 2005. http://www.esri.com/ (consulted 16/04/05).
 Marean, C.W., Y. Abe, P.J. Nilssen and E.C. Stone. 2001. Estimating the minimum number of skeletal elements (MNE) in zooarchaeology: a review and a new image-analysis GIS approach. American Antiquity 66(2): 333-348.
 Popkin 2005. Caprine Butchery and Bone Modification Templates: A step towards standardisation. Internet Archaeology http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue1... (consulted 18/03/2005)