In anthropology, archaeology, and museum studies, a catalogue number is a unique identifier assigned to an artifact, specimen, or record within a collection. It’s the backbone of cataloguing systems, ensuring that every item can be tracked, referenced, and studied without confusion.
🌍 Definition
- Catalogue Number: A sequential or coded number given to an object in a collection, linking it to its catalogue entry.
- Purpose: Provides a permanent reference for documentation, research, and curation.
🔑 Anthropological & Archaeological Contexts
- Archaeological Finds:
- Every artifact recovered from excavation is assigned a catalogue number.
- This number ties the object to provenience data (site, layer, coordinates).
- Museum Collections:
- Catalogue numbers are inscribed or tagged on artifacts, linking them to detailed records (material, dimensions, cultural attribution).
- Ethnographic Collections:
- Objects collected during fieldwork are catalogued for future comparative study.
- Comparative Research:
- Catalogue numbers allow scholars to cross-reference artifacts across publications, databases, and institutions.
📚 Importance in Anthropology
- Data Integrity: Prevents loss of contextual information.
- Accessibility: Enables researchers to locate and request specific items.
- Comparative Value: Facilitates cross-cultural and cross-temporal analysis.
- Preservation: Ensures that even if artifacts are moved, loaned, or digitized, their identity remains intact.
In short: A catalogue number is the unique identifier that anchors artifacts and specimens to their records, ensuring continuity of knowledge in anthropology, archaeology, and museum practice.
