Concerning the use of artifact, object, and specimen--I have been thinking about this issue for some time, and would appreciate comments on the following proposal (my address is at the very end of this message).

The use of object and specimen is usually divided between biological collections (specimens) and non-biological collections (object).  So what is the best word to use for the components of all collections?  What about artifact, or item, or thing?

We can rule out artifact as being specific to items made or modified by human beings.  We can rule out item as its use is too imprecise (distinct part of a whole).  We can eliminate specimen as being too Aristotelian or typological, as it refers to a representative part of a whole.  We can eliminate thing because this use would be far from the original meaning, and because it refers to something inanimate.  

This leaves us with two interesting words, object and element.   The meaning of object is certainly adequate to the task, but it is carries with it a certain amount of historical baggage as it has traditionally referred to non-biological collections.  The word element is much better.  It means a constituent part of a whole, which is what a component of any collection is.  It also has meaning in the sense of an element of a set, which is how collections should be conceived of-as sets of elements [please see Simmons, J.E. and Y. Muñoz-Saba.  2003.  The theoretical bases of collections management.  Collection Forum 18(1-2):38-49].  

As collections grow larger and more complex, we will see much greater use of set theory in their management, so I suggest that we start using the word element to refer to the component parts of collections in general, and reserve the use of words such as artifact, object, and specimen to the particular kinds of collections that they describe.


Some etymological background notes:

Artifact (artefact).  "Anything made by human art and workmanship; an artificial product." (OED).  Perhaps a better definition for museum purposes is a simple object showing human workmanship or modification.

Etymology:  L arte (skill) and factum (to do).  First recorded use was by Coleridge in 1821, "The conception of all these, as realized in one and the same artéfact, may be fairly entitled, the Ideal of an Ink-stand." (OED)


Element.  "One of the simple substances of which all material bodies are compounded" (OED).  Best modern definition is a constituent part.

Etymology:  From the Latin elementum (the original meaning of elementum is uncertain).  First recorded use 1724, "The chemist makes spirit, salt, sulphur, water, and earth, to be their five elements" (OED).


Item. "A statement, maxim, or admonition such as was commonly introduced by the word item; a saying with a particular bearing.  Hence, generally, an imitation, a hint." (OED).  The second definition in the OED is "An article or unit of any kind included in an enumeration, computation, or sum total..."  Can also refer to one of the distinct parts of a whole. 

Etymology:  From the Latin ita (thus).  First recorded use in 1578, "The lawe layeth no Item to youre charge." (OED)


Object.  "A statement thrown in or introduced in opposition; an objection...  Something 'thrown' or put in the way, so as to interrupt or obstruct the course of a person or thing; an obstacle, a hindrance...Something placed before the eyes, or presented to the sight or other sense; an individual thing seen or perceived..." (OED).  Usually defined as something capable of being seen, touched, or otherwise sensed.

Etymology:  From the Latin objectum (thrown in the way).  First recorded use 1398, "e obiect of the eye is all t may be seen, & al t maye be herde is object to the herynge" (OED).


Specimen.  "A means of discovering or finding out; an experiment...A pattern or model" (OED).  Usually means a part typical of a group or whole, or something that belongs in a particular category.

Etymology:  Latin specere (to look at).  First recorded use 1619, "Our Resurrection shall be like or Saviour's: His and ours make a mutual Aspect; His the Specimen, and ours the Complement" (OED).


Thing.  "A meeting, assembly, esp. a deliberative or judicial assembly, a court, a council...  II.  An entity of any kind.  That which exists individually" (OED).  Best definition is probably a spatial entity, an inanimate object.

Etymology:  Goth theihs (time).  First recorded use ca. 888.


John E. Simmons
Collection Manager, Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
and
Coordinator, Museum Studies Program
University of Kansas
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561
Telephone 785-864-4508
FAX 785-864-5335
[log in to unmask]
www.nhm.ku.edu/herpetology/
www.ku.edu/~museumst/

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