Hi Laura,

 

I hesitate to enter the fray after the various discussions on hand specimens! I have to say that this is a term which I am comfortable in using – it was a term we often used in student labs and field work. At the same time I recognize that we have possibly moved away from the term and macroscopic and microscopic are also fine. A few other comments. 

 

Certainly for geology I would expect fluids to include hydrocarbons, oils, mercury

 

Maybe some things that could do with clarification: 

 

• Tektites need a home – while they are terrestrial rocks they are formed by an extraterrestrial impact and it would be good to differentiate these.
• Will cut gems go under “hand specimens”: minerals? (some are hardly ‘hand’specimens though).
• Hydrocarbons and fossiliferous limestone – do these go under geology or palaeontology.
• Miscellaneous items – e.g. crystal models, replicas, old specimen labels, old cards with results of analysis, or sketches of crystal morphology.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Nick

 

 

Hi Bjorn and Andreas,

 

With regards to geology it is something that I will have to think about more – Macro-object and Micro-object could be one way of describing,  but I need to more research or find a curator in geology.

 

Cheers

 

Laura

 

 

 

It’s probably not extremely common but there are entries in the Merriam and Oxford dictionaries when I’ve googled, so it does exist.

 

Best

 

B

 

 

Hi Laura,

 

I do not know what native speaking geologists use for German “Handstück” – I cannot remember having seen the term “hand specimen” in usage anywhere, but I may be wrong.

Typically these were simply called rock samples in the US/UK collections I visited.

 

Best wishes

Andreas

 

 

 

Hello Andreas,

 

Thank you for your reply! Firstly with regards to the Palaeontology Taxonomic classification, I did not add it to the google sheet because no issues have been raised about it - but I have just added it now so you can see how palaeontology is defined. Okay, Celia also made the comment that Steffen has an important point about separating Microfossils and Macrofossils – so I will define these as categories in storage. You have some good points also – I need to just think how I can combine them in to useful categories. I will not use hand specimen. I wonder if hand specimen is the correct term to use in Geology? – from a curatorial point of view.  

 

Best wishes

 

Laura

 

 

 

Hi Laura,

 

I do not see any palaeontology under the heading “Taxonomic Type”

Based on past experience I know that most geologists and mineralogists would object to the usage of the word taxonomy for a classification involving their objects.

 

Under “Storage classification”

 

I assume “Handspecimens” is a direct translation for German “Handstück” – this is not in common usage. I would strongly support the term “Macrofossil” instead

 

I also second Steffen’s comment reg. Microfossils

 

Thin sections could be a separate category – since these can be both micro- or macrofossil in origin

 

Like Steffen I never saw fossil liquids, but what does exist are macrofossils stored in liquid (alcohol or glycerine) – I would simply have classified these as “Macrofossils”, but if you want to put emphasis on storage concerns they could be keyed out as separate category

 

Very commonly very large objects are stored in separate storage areas in collections – so again, if the focus is storage these could form a separate category (“Oversized specimens” or similar)

 

Often, fossil bearing sieving residues are stored alongside microfossil collections – often in different cabinets or even rooms – again possibly a different category.

 

Many collections separate any vertebrate (or only mammalian) remains from the other fossils and do classify them in “normal sized” bones and micro mammals (or micro vertebrates). I know this is now a mixture of taxonomy and size, but I just want to bring it to your attention as it is common.

 

All the best

Andreas

 

 

 

Dear colleagues,

 

I am writing to kindly ask for your advice on defining the standardised terminology “classification schemes” developed in SYNTHESYS+ for geological, palaeontological collections/objects, and also Extraterrestrial if possible. I realise the current terminology for taxonomic type and storage need urgent revision because they are not really useful. I have made revisions and ask if you agree with my suggestions or to give further input. I am aware that most of you are curators – so with regards to storage: Are my suggestions meaningful? Have I covered the main categories in which geological, palaeontological and Extraterrestrial objects are contained? Please note that it is important not to go into much detailed, the categories should be useful for high-level reporting.

 

Google sheets with my new suggestions (highlighted in green) of categorisation: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19hBCnsLkMILmfaFMy_YwcSiUlOVB99z7CDFnkwrrxe8/edit#gid=0

In red are the original terms for comparison.

 

I would please like your feedback before the 20^th December

 

General Terminology to be aware of:  Taxonomic type: This refers to collection type e.g. for Palaeontology: invertebrates, vertebrates,  botany & mycology. For Geology: minerology, petrology etc.

Storage classification: refers to  what form collection objects are stored. This classification aims to be useful for information on building planning, help decision for investment of storage facilities etc.

 

Background

These classification schemes are being developed in  SYNTHESYS+ they will be at the core of describing collections within DiSSCo, and will allow the discoverability, accessibility, mobilisation of collection data held in institutes.  More specifically I am coordinating the task involved in developing a collection digitisation dashboard in which the classification schemes are being developed. The dashboard will provide high level information on collections related to Collection Taxonomic types, Storage, geographic region etc. the goal is to facilitate the discoverability of collections as well as decision making on institutional, governmental and research levels – what facilities are needed, building planning, prioritisation of digitisation, research collaboration etc.

 

 

It is important since we are the community that will be using these terms, and the goal is to promote the use of these terms beyond DiSSCo.

 

I hope my request make sense if not please feel free to contact me.

 

Thank you in advance for your help

 

Best wishes

 

Laura   

 

 

 

 

Dr. Laura Tilley

Project Assistant

CETAF, AISBL

+32 (0) 2 627 42 50

laura.tilley@cetaf.org

 

CONSORTIUM OF EUROPEAN TAXONOMIC FACILITIES

c/o Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

rue Vautier, 29 1000, Brussels. Belgium

www.cetaf.org

 

Exploring and documenting diversity in nature

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UID: ATU 38020609
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