About the catalogue

Introduction

The catalogue consists of over 1300 individual objects on display in the London before London gallery and over 200 sites where these objects were found. Its purpose is to provide additional information to that provided in the captions and displays in the gallery. Please note that it is not a complete record of all the objects and sites from this period in the London area.

Searching the catalogue

There are three ways to search for information in the catalogue, the simplest is by using a ‘simple text’ or ‘what, where, when’ search. Each of the text-based search methods returns a list of results from where further information can be found about objects and sites.

• Simple text search
  This is the easiest way to search for objects. It looks for any object related keyword or phrase in the catalogue.

• What, Where, When
  This searches for objects or sites by looking for the name (what), place of discovery (where) or date of manufacture/use (when). A choice can be made between whether the search is for sites or objects. The search results can be displayed as a list or a scrolling ‘catwalk’ of images (for object searches only).

• Complex search
  This an advanced search for experienced users. The form is divided into four sections. The first part applies to searches for both objects and sites; detailed information can be entered about the place where an object or site was found. The second two sections are for entering information about objects and sites. Both sections can be used, for example to search for particular types of objects from sites of a certain date. Finally the way the results are displayed can also be changed in a number of ways, including the number of results per page and whether to show information relating to sites or objects.

With all text-based searches if you enter more than one phrase you must separate all keywords with commas. Where there is more than one field an entry does not have to be placed in every field.

Please note that if conducting a complex search immediately after completing one of the other text-based searches the system will recall the previous search criteria. These details will be automatically entered into the appropriate fields. There is a reset button on all search screens if new information is to be entered.

Object records

Each object in the gallery has a catalogue page providing the following information:

• material it is made from
• simple name
• where it was found
• date of manufacture, both archaeological period and date range
• short description with further details about the place of collection
• size (and weight if relevant)
• accession number (the unique number given to an object when it was acquired by the museum or discovered on an archaeological site)
• display case number (the case number can be found on the top or bottom left of all cases in the London before London gallery)
• published sources (i.e. books and articles)

Most of objects in the gallery have a digital image. Clicking on the image will produce a larger version.

Site records

Each object in the gallery has a catalogue page providing further information about the place of collection. This includes:

• location, including London borough and address (if relevant)
• national grid reference (co-ordinates on an ordnance survey map)
• date of site (periods of the objects and features found there)
• short description
• published sources (i.e. books and articles)

Some of the objects in the gallery do not have a precise find spot. This mainly applies to objects dredged from the Thames in the 19th and early 20th century where the nearest town was recorded as the place of discovery. Many of these objects have been given site records referring to the general area of the river where they were found.

Multi MIMSY

All the information in the catalogue is derived from the Museum of London’s collections management system and database called Multi MIMSY (developed by Willoughby Associates Limited). The collection information stored on Multi MIMSY is not a complete record, but one that is continually updated and developed by the Museum’s curators. If you have any comments about the information provided please use our feedback form.

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