Searching

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Last updated: Sept 11, 2013 by Former user (Deleted)Version comment
5 min read

 

Searching for Resources From the tDAR Homepage

tDAR's search function allows users to easily locate existing resources using either a basic or advanced search. 


To begin searching, type a keyword in the search field "Find archaeological data . . . " located on the tDAR homepage.

 

 

Log in to Download What You Find

You will be able to see the metadata for the resources that you find during your search. However, if you want to download the resources themselves, you will have to /wiki/spaces/TDAR/pages/557080.

You can then click "Search" in the toolbar.

 

Basic Search

The basic search allows you to search all fields of existing resources using keywords.


Type in your search terms and click the magnifying glass to view your results.

 

See the "Search Results" section below.

 

 

 

 

Advanced Search

The advanced search allows the user to generate more refined search results. The advanced search function can be located by clicking on "advanced" to the right of the search field on the homepage.


Advanced searches can search within all fields (basic search), titles, tDAR ids, specific projects, resource types, temporal limits, spatial limits, investigation types, site information, material types, cultural terms, temporal keywords, general keywords, and submitters/authors/contributors. Fields may be left blank. 

Search by Resource, Collection, Institution, or Person

Search resources, collections, institutions, or persons who have uploaded data to tDAR by selecting the appropriate tab on the Advanced Search page.

Temporal Limits

Here you can limit search results to a specific date range using calendar dates or radiocarbon dates. Select "Calendar dates" or "RadioCarbon dates" from the drop down menu of search terms to the left of the search field. If using calendar dates, enter a beginning and ending Julian calendar year. Use negative numbers to indicate BC dates. If using radiocarbon dates enter a maximum/minimum radiocarbon age. Do not enter calendar era designations such as "B.C.E" or "A.D."


Investigation Types

To limit your search by investigation type(s), select "Investigation Types" from the drop down list of search terms to the left of the search field. Check the appropriate boxes. (tick)

Site Information

You are able to limit your search by site name or site type(s). Hovering your cursor over the text will bring up a text box describing each site type.

Material Types

Here you can limit your search by material type(s). Hovering your cursor over the text will bring up a text box describing each material type.

Cultural Terms

In this section you can limit your search by cultural term(s). You may enter cultures not included in the list by clicking "add another search term".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investigation Types

Hovering your cursor over the text will bring up a text box describing each investigation type.

 

 

Temporal Information

Here you can limit your search by temporal keywords (e.g. "Postclassic", "Sedentary", "Bronze Age", etc.).

General Keywords

Here you can limit your search by general keywords. General keywords may include specific types of investigations undertaken as part of resource creation (e.g., "material sourcing", "ceramic petrography", "experimental archaeology"), specific site types ("rock gardens", "ground stone production area", "shrine"), as well as overarching descriptive terms ("economy", "warfare").

Narrow Search Results

Narrow search results further by selecting a resource type. 

Spatial Limits

tDAR allows you to limit search results by using a geographic term (e.g. named regions, geographic features, states, towns, etc.) or to those resources that fall within a bounding box on a map. 
Drawing a bounding box:

  1. Use the Google Map display to navigate to your search location
  2. click the "Select Region" button
  3. draw a box that best approximates the area that you would like to search

Sorting Options and Submit

Sorting options allow you to indicate the order in which the search results will be returned (e.g. relevance, date, ID, etc). Selecting "Search" will bring up your search results. 

Search Results

Search results are returned by relevance by default. Ten records are displayed per page, and the number of records, as well as links to click on specific pages, are available at the bottom of the Search Results page.



Search Options


Here you are able to refine your search results, download your results to Excel, or change your sorting preferences.

To refine your search you select "Refine your search" and return to the Advanced Search page.


To download a copy of your search results to Excel, select "to Excel". The Excel document includes the search terms, a URL to the search results, the individual who downloaded the file with a time and date stamp, and the search results (ID, Resource Type, Title, Date, Authors, Project, Description, Number of Files, URL, and Physical Location).



The "Sort By" drop down menu allows you to reorder the results by relevance, ID, ID (reversed), Title, Title (Z-A), Project, Date, Date (reversed), Date Updated, Date Updated (Reversed), Resource Type, resource Type (Z-A).

Limit Your Search

 

Common Searches

Is there a specific item in tDAR you search for often? You can also Bookmark resources for easy access when you are signed into tDAR. (See the tutorial on Creating Bookmarks).