Dating buildings can be a fascinating endeavor, offering insights into history, culture, and technological advancements. This easy reference guide provides a starting point for identifying the age and style of buildings based on key architectural features.
Understanding Architectural Styles Through Time
Architectural styles evolve over time, reflecting societal changes, available materials, and prevailing aesthetic preferences. Recognizing these stylistic shifts is crucial for accurately dating a building. Each style boasts unique characteristics, from the grand symmetry of Georgian architecture to the ornate details of Victorian designs and the clean lines of Modernist structures.
Ornate details and asymmetrical designs are telltale signs of Victorian architecture.
Key Elements of Record-Level Data in Building Analysis
When examining a building, several record-level elements can provide valuable clues about its history and context. These elements, often documented and standardized, offer a structured approach to gathering essential information for analysis.
Type of Building (dc:type)
Determining the nature or genre of the building is the first step. Was it designed as a residential dwelling, a commercial establishment, or a public institution? The type of building influences its architectural design and the materials used in its construction. Consider resources like the DCMI type vocabulary for categorization.
StillImagePhysicalObjectEvent
Modification Date (dcterms:modified)
The most recent date-time on which the building was changed can provide insights into renovations or alterations. This date is crucial for understanding how the building has evolved over time. Ideally, this date should conform to ISO 8601-1:2019 for consistency.
1963-03-08T14:07-0600(8 Mar 1963 at 2:07pm in the time zone six hours earlier than UTC)2018-08-29T15:19(3:19pm local time on 29 August 2018)1971(some time in the year 1971)
Language of Documentation (dc:language)
The language used in historical documents related to the building can reveal its cultural context. Using controlled vocabularies like RFC 5646 ensures consistency in identifying the language.
en(for English)es(for Spanish)
Licensing and Rights (dcterms:license, dcterms:rightsHolder, dcterms:accessRights)
Understanding the legal aspects of the building, such as its licensing, rights holder, and access rights, provides context for its historical preservation and public use.
Bibliographic Citation and References (dcterms:bibliographicCitation, dcterms:references)
Identifying the bibliographic citation for the building and any related references can lead to additional information and insights into its history and significance.
Institutional Identifiers (dwc:institutionID, dwc:collectionID, dwc:datasetID)
Identifiers for the institution having custody of information, the collection or dataset from which the record was derived, and the dataset itself, all help in tracing the building’s history and documentation. Globally unique identifiers are best for this purpose.
A detailed identification record for a historic building facilitates research and preservation.
Codes and Names (dwc:institutionCode, dwc:collectionCode, dwc:datasetName, dwc:ownerInstitutionCode)
These codes and names associated with the institution, collection, dataset, and owning institution provide additional context and facilitate research.
MVZFMNHGrinnell Resurvey Mammals
Basis of Record (dwc:basisOfRecord)
The specific nature of the building data record (e.g., MaterialEntity, Event, HumanObservation) helps categorize and understand the available information.
MaterialEntityEventHumanObservation
Information Withheld and Data Generalizations (dwc:informationWithheld, dwc:dataGeneralizations)
Note any information that has been withheld or generalized, as this can impact the completeness and accuracy of the historical record.
location information not given for endangered speciesCoordinates generalized from original GPS coordinates to the nearest half degree grid cell
Dynamic Properties (dwc:dynamicProperties)
Additional measurements, facts, characteristics, or assertions about the building, often encoded in a structured format like JSON, provide valuable details.
{"heightInMeters":1.5}{"iucnStatus":"vulnerable", "taxonDistribution":"Neuquén, Argentina"}
Occurrence Class and its Relevance in Dating Buildings
The Occurrence class in Darwin Core refers to the existence of an organism at a particular place and time. While seemingly unrelated to buildings, certain elements of the Occurrence class can be analogously applied to the process of dating buildings. This involves considering the building as a subject existing in a specific location and period.
Occurrence ID (dwc:occurrenceID)
A unique identifier for the building occurrence, ideally a persistent, globally unique identifier, helps distinguish it from other buildings.
http://arctos.database.museum/guid/MSB:Mamm:233627000866d2-c177-4648-a200-ead4007051b9
Catalog Number and Record Number (dwc:catalogNumber, dwc:recordNumber)
These identifiers, used within the data set or collection, can link the building to specific records or field notes.
145732OPP 7101
Recorded By and Recorded By ID (dwc:recordedBy, dwc:recordedByID)
Identifying the people, groups, or organizations responsible for recording the original building data provides context and credibility. Use globally unique identifiers when available.
José E. CrespoOliver P. Pearson | Anita K. Pearson
Individual Count, Organism Quantity, and Type (dwc:individualCount, dwc:organismQuantity, dwc:organismQuantityType)
Analogously, these could represent the number of similar structures, the quantity of original materials, and the type of materials used.
Sex, Life Stage, Reproductive Condition, and Caste (dwc:sex, dwc:lifeStage, dwc:reproductiveCondition, dwc:caste)
These attributes are not directly applicable to buildings.
Behavior and Vitality (dwc:behavior, dwc:vitality)
Analogously, behavior could represent the building’s function (e.g., roosting, foraging) and vitality could indicate its current condition (e.g., alive, dead).
roostingalive
Establishment Means and Degree of Establishment (dwc:establishmentMeans, dwc:degreeOfEstablishment)
These terms relate to whether a building has been introduced or established in a given place through human activity.
Pathway (dwc:pathway)
The process by which a building came to be in a given place and time, such as through transportContaminant or transportStowaway.
Georeference Verification Status (dwc:georeferenceVerificationStatus)
The extent to which the building’s georeference has been verified helps ensure accuracy.
unable to georeferenceverified by data custodian
Occurrence Status (dwc:occurrenceStatus)
A statement about the presence or absence of a building style at a location.
presentabsent
Associated Media, Occurrences, References, and Taxa (dwc:associatedMedia, dwc:associatedOccurrences, dwc:associatedReferences, dwc:associatedTaxa)
Links to associated media, other related buildings, literature, and taxonomic classifications of building styles provide valuable connections.
<a href="https://arctos.database.museum/media/10520962">https://arctos.database.museum/media/10520962</a>Christopher J. Conroy, Jennifer L. Neuwald. 2008. Phylogeographic study of the California vole, Microtus californicus Journal of Mammalogy, 89(3):755-767."host":"Quercus alba"
Other Catalog Numbers and Occurrence Remarks (dwc:otherCatalogNumbers, dwc:occurrenceRemarks)
Alternate catalog numbers and general remarks provide additional context and information about the building.
FMNH:Mammal:1234found dead on road
Location and Geological Context
Understanding the location and geological context of a building can further help in its dating. Factors such as available materials and the local geology influence construction techniques.
The local geology often dictates the available building materials and architectural style.
Taxon and Identification for Styles
Treating architectural styles as taxa can allow for the application of taxonomic principles to the dating process. Key components include:
- Taxon ID (dwc:taxonID): A unique identifier for the style.
- Scientific Name (dwc:scientificName): The formal name of the style (e.g., “Georgian,” “Victorian”).
- Taxon Rank (dwc:taxonRank): The level of classification (e.g., “style,” “period”).
Conclusion: Combining Clues for Accurate Dating
Dating buildings requires a multifaceted approach, combining stylistic analysis, historical research, and careful consideration of available data. By utilizing this easy reference guide and applying the principles of Darwin Core, you can unlock the secrets of architectural history and gain a deeper appreciation for the built environment. Combining available resources and expertise will always lead to more robust building dating.
