Thanks to David Carlson for decoding this material.
 
Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
INTERNET: [log in to unmask]   Owner: HISTARCH
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Date:         Wed, 07 Dec 94 09:56:21 CST
From:         "David L. Carlson" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      NADB clarification
To:           Anita Cohen-Williams <[log in to unmask]>
 
Here's the uuencoded file that was just posted to histarch in case you
want to forward it to the list:
 
 
It seems that there are some misconceptions going around on
this list about the nature and uses of the National
Archeological Database (NADB), particularly in comparison
with other databases like ADAP.  I would like to clarify a
few things.
 
NADB and ADAP are totally different kinds of "database of
databases" systems with totally different goals.  ADAP is
collecting archeological data files derived from excavations
in order to make them available to the public and to
preserve such records for long-term use "that otherwise
might be lost or rendered useless by changing computer
standards" (Eiteljorg, ARCH-L, 12/1/93).
 
NADB, on the other hand, is a communications network of
information important for preserving the archeological
heritage of the U.S.  It is a "database of databases"
because it is an interrelated set of data modules.  It
presently consists of two modules, NADB-Reports and
NADB-NAGPRA.  We expect to have two more modules online
sometime in 1995.
 
NADB-R is a bibliographic inventory of ca. 130,000 reports
on archeological investigations, the majority of which are
gray literature.  This means that there are NOT many copies
of the gray lit. around (to respond to Tom Wheaton's view of
NADB-R), but at least you can find out that such a report
exists and are given as explicit ideas as possible about
where to obtain a copy and the data it contains.  (Since
most of our local data providers are people in the SHPO
offices, many of those offices have a copy of the report
that they entered.  The SHPO is always a good place to begin
to get a copy of a gray lit. report.)
 
The other module, NADB-NAGPRA, is a text5oriented database
containing such things as the full text of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, information
on regulations and guidance, the Tribal and Federal Contacts
on NAGPRA (this is a long list and does not view well on the
screen so it is advised that people download it and read/use
it at their leisure; this problem will be corrected soon),
statements on Intent to Repatriate, Repatriation Summaries,
and the minutes of the Review Committee meetings.  Portions
of this module will be queriable in the near future.
 
I hope this clarifies some of the differences between NADB
and ADAP.  If you have any other questions, please contact
me.
 
Terry Childs, Ph.D.
 
NADB-R Coordinator, Archeological Assistance Div., NPS
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