Numbering Methods applied on artifacts in some museums and cultural heritage institutions

Khalil, Hadeel; Metawi, Rasha; Kandil, Doaa

doi:10.21608/ijmsac.2022.270070

Numbering Methods applied on artifacts in some museums and cultural heritage institutions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Conservator at the Grand Egyptian museum and PhD candidate in Heritage and museum studies doctoral program DHMS, faculty of tourism and hotel management, Helwan University

² Professor at faculty of tourism and hotel management, Helwan University

10.21608/ijmsac.2022.270070

Abstract

Museums are designed for collecting, interpreting, displaying and the
most important reason is for preserving rare artifacts for the longest
possible period of time. When a new artifact arrives to a museum, it
should have a special code or number called inventory number. These
numbers are used to uniquely identify items and to add it to the data
base. These numbers should serve as short hand for longer item
descriptions. Sometimes numbers are applied on inaccessible places
like the base or the back of big objects. Add to that the diversity in
text shapes, colors and handwritings.
Numbering is a vital process in museums; it provides a unique
identification for each object. The number applied on an object refers
to a catalogue number or accession number. Without numbering,
objects cannot be tracked or utilized in a museum. When a cultural
object inters a museum, it is given an accession number which is
unique number for each object. This number is connecting the object
with its own other information such as; documentation, description
and current condition of the object. The number on an object allows
the curator to track it easily and retrieve information quickly.
Numbering and labeling of cultural heritage artifacts has developed
through years. There are several numbering and labeling methods. The
numbering type applied on artifacts is depending on the type of
materials needed to be marked. Some institutions are still holding on
traditional practices although they include some flaws and may cause
some problems. Nowadays, a range of new numbering techniques
appeared and practiced in many museums beside the traditional ones
or in some cases replace them. This paper will point out and focus on
some new numbering methods applied in some museums and cultural
heritage institutions. Besides reviewing some traditional methods still
in used and their effect on artifacts.

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