1.1.3. Place Record Anatomy

v4.0-beta

Understanding the structure and components of a WHG place record.

1.1.3.1. Note to Documentation Team

This page needs extensive visual aids:

  • Annotated screenshots of actual place records with callouts

  • Interactive demo record where users can click different sections

  • Side-by-side comparison of simple vs complex records

  • Flowchart showing how attestations build up a record

  • Before/after examples showing how records evolve with contributions

  • Video walkthrough of exploring a complex record

  • Consider a “record dissection” showing data model underneath

  • Examples from diverse geographic/temporal contexts

  • Show how uncertainty appears in the interface

  • Cross-reference to Data Model documentation for technical users

  • Include accessibility considerations for navigating records

1.1.3.2. Overview

A WHG place record is a rich, multi-faceted representation of a historical place. Unlike traditional gazetteers with fixed fields, WHG records are built from attestations - individual claims from sources that together form a comprehensive picture of a Thing.

1.1.3.3. Record Sections

Every place record contains several sections:

  1. Header - Summary and primary identity

  2. Names Tab - All known names and variants

  3. Locations Tab - Geometries and spatial information

  4. Temporal Tab - When-related information

  5. Types & Classifications Tab - What kind of Thing

  6. Relations Tab - Connections to other Things

  7. Attestations Tab - Source-level detail

  8. Provenance Tab - Contribution and curation history

Let’s explore each in detail.

1.1.3.4. 1. Header Section

[Annotated screenshot of header]

The header provides at-a-glance information:

1.1.3.4.1. Primary Name

Display: Largest text at top of record

Logic:

  • Most recent name with highest certainty

  • OR most commonly attested name

  • OR editor-designated primary name

Example: For thing-Constantinople, primary name might be “Istanbul” (current) or “Constantinople” (historical dominance)

1.1.3.4.2. Thing ID

Display: Small text below primary name (e.g., whg:12345)

Purpose: Unique permanent identifier for this Thing

Use: For citations, API queries, cross-referencing

1.1.3.4.3. Quick Facts

Display: Icon-based summary below primary name

  • 📍 Location: Representative point or region

  • 📅 Time Range: Earliest to latest attestation

  • 🏛️ Type: Primary classification

  • 📚 Sources: Count of distinct sources

  • 🔗 Relations: Count of connections

  • ✓ Quality: Completeness/certainty indicator

1.1.3.4.4. Action Buttons

  • Edit: Open editing interface (if you have permission)

  • Add to Collection: Save to your collections

  • Share: Get permalink or share to social media

  • Export: Download this record

  • Cite: Get citation information

  • Flag: Report an issue

1.1.3.5. 2. Names Tab

[Screenshot of Names tab]

The Names tab shows all attested names for this place.

1.1.3.5.1. Name List

Each name entry shows:

Name String: The name itself, in original script

  • Example: القسطنطينية (Arabic script)

Transliteration: Romanized form (if non-Latin)

  • Example: al-Qusṭanṭīnīyah

Language & Script:

  • Example: Arabic / Arabic script

Name Type: Classification

  • Example: toponym (also: chrononym, ethnonym, etc.)

Timespan: When this name was used

  • Example: 800 CE - 1453 CE

Certainty: Confidence in this attestation

  • Visual: Color-coded bar or icon

  • Example: ✓✓✓ (high), ✓✓ (medium), ✓ (low)

Sources: Citations for this name

  • Expandable list

  • Linked to source details

1.1.3.5.2. Name Filtering & Sorting

Filter by:

  • Language

  • Script

  • Name type

  • Time period

  • Certainty level

Sort by:

  • Chronological (oldest/newest first)

  • Alphabetical

  • Certainty

  • Source count

1.1.3.5.3. Name Relationships

Some names show relationships:

  • Variant of: Links to related name forms

  • Translation of: Cross-language equivalents

  • Evolved from: Diachronic change

  • Colloquial for: Formal vs informal names

1.1.3.5.4. Name Timeline View

Toggle to timeline visualization:

[Mockup of timeline showing name usage over time]

Shows:

  • Horizontal bars for each name’s timespan

  • Overlapping periods where multiple names coexisted

  • Transitions and name changes

  • Gaps where no names are attested

1.1.3.6. 3. Locations Tab

[Screenshot of Locations tab]

The Locations tab shows spatial information.

1.1.3.6.1. Map View

Display: Interactive map showing:

  • All attested geometries (points, polygons, regions)

  • Color-coded by time period

  • Uncertainty visualized (dotted lines, shaded areas)

  • Representative point (primary marker)

Interactions:

  • Zoom/pan map

  • Click geometries for details

  • Toggle layers (time periods, certainty levels)

  • Measure distances

1.1.3.6.2. Geometry List

Below map, list of all geometries:

For each geometry:

Type: Point, Polygon, LineString, etc.

  • Icon indicates type

Coordinates/Data:

  • Points: Latitude, Longitude

  • Polygons: Vertex count, area

  • Regions: Bounding box

Precision: Spatial uncertainty

  • Example: ± 5 km or approximate or uncertain

  • Visual indicator (icon, color)

Timespan: When this location was valid

  • Example: 1200 - 1500 CE

Source: Who claims this location

  • Example: Historical Atlas of Medieval Europe (2015)

Certainty: Confidence level

  • Example: 0.85 (high confidence)

Notes: Contextual information

  • Example: “Location based on archaeological survey; exact position uncertain”

1.1.3.6.3. Spatial Change Over Time

Temporal Animation Controls:

  • Play/pause button

  • Speed slider

  • Year indicator

Shows: How the place’s location changed (or didn’t) over time

Use Cases:

  • Migrations of settlements

  • Border changes

  • Expansion/contraction of territorial entities

1.1.3.6.4. Coordinate Systems

Display: Original CRS noted for each geometry

  • Most common: WGS84 (lat/lon)

  • Historical: May include historical coordinate systems

Transformation: WHG converts all to WGS84 for display, but preserves original

1.1.3.7. 4. Temporal Tab

[Screenshot of Temporal tab]

The Temporal tab focuses on when-related information.

1.1.3.7.1. Time Range Summary

Display: Large visual timeline showing:

  • Earliest attestation: Start point

  • Latest attestation: End point

  • Uncertain boundaries: Shaded regions

  • Continuous vs discontinuous occupation

1.1.3.7.2. Detailed Timespans

List view of all temporal attestations:

Each timespan shows:

Start:

  • Earliest possible: -280

  • Latest possible: -275

  • Display: “circa 280 BCE”

Stop:

  • Earliest possible: 1453

  • Latest possible: 1454

  • Display: “1453/1454 CE”

Precision: How certain are the dates?

  • Example: year level precision vs century

Label: Human-readable period name

  • Example: “Byzantine period”

What it attests: What was true during this time?

  • Example: “Was the capital of the Byzantine Empire”

Source: Citation

1.1.3.7.3. Temporal Patterns

Identified patterns:

  • Foundation date: First attestation of place

  • Peak period: Most densely attested

  • Abandonment: Last attestations

  • Gaps: Periods with no attestations (doesn’t mean didn’t exist!)

  • Continuous: Ongoing from earliest to present

1.1.3.7.4. Temporal Uncertainty Visualization

Visual indicators:

  • Solid line: Certain date

  • Dotted line: Uncertain boundary

  • Shaded region: Range of possibilities

  • Question mark icon: Highly speculative

1.1.3.7.5. Dating Systems

Display: Original dating systems noted

  • CE/BCE (Common Era)

  • AH (Islamic calendar)

  • Dynastic periods

  • Archaeological periods

Conversion: WHG normalizes to CE/BCE but shows original

1.1.3.8. 5. Types & Classifications Tab

[Screenshot of Types tab]

Shows what kind of place this is.

1.1.3.8.1. Primary Type

Display: Largest, most prominent classification

  • Example: City / Urban Settlement

How determined:

  • Most frequently attested type

  • OR editor-designated primary

  • OR most recent classification

1.1.3.8.2. All Type Attestations

List of all classifications:

Each entry shows:

Classification:

  • Example: Port City

Vocabulary: Which classification system?

  • Example: Pleiades Place Types or Getty AAT

Timespan: When this classification applied

  • Example: 600 BCE - 1200 CE

Source: Who classified it this way

Certainty: Confidence in classification

1.1.3.8.3. Type Timeline

Visualization: Shows how place type changed over time

Example for Constantinople:

-600 to 330 CE:  Greek colony / trading post
330 to 1453 CE:  Imperial capital / city
1453 to present: Imperial capital / metropolis

1.1.3.8.4. Hierarchical Classifications

Some types show hierarchy:

Settlement
  └─ Urban Settlement
      └─ City
          └─ Capital City
              └─ Imperial Capital

1.1.3.8.5. Functional Classifications

Multiple simultaneous types possible:

  • Religious center (Temple of Artemis)

  • Port city (maritime trade)

  • Administrative center (provincial capital)

  • Military garrison (fortified)

1.1.3.9. 6. Relations Tab

[Screenshot of Relations tab]

Shows how this place connects to others.

1.1.3.9.1. Relation Types

Relations are grouped by type:

1.1.3.9.1.1. Hierarchical Relations

  • Part of: This place is contained within another

    • Example: “Constantinople” part of “Byzantine Empire”

  • Contains: This place contains others

    • Example: “Byzantine Empire” contains “Constantinople”, “Thessalonica”, etc.

1.1.3.9.1.2. Equivalence Relations

  • Same as: This place is identical to a place in another dataset

    • Example: WHG place links to Pleiades, GeoNames, Wikidata

  • Succeeded by: This place was replaced/renamed

    • Example: “Constantinople” succeeded by “Istanbul”

  • Preceded by: This place replaced another

    • Example: “Istanbul” preceded by “Constantinople”

1.1.3.9.1.3. Network Relations

  • Connected to: Generic connection (trade, communication, etc.)

  • Trade partner with: Commercial relationship

  • Allied with: Political/military alliance

  • Religious connection to: Institutional religious ties

  • Administrative connection to: Bureaucratic hierarchy

1.1.3.9.1.4. Spatial Relations

  • Near: Geographic proximity

  • On route from/to: Part of a journey or trade route

  • Accessible from: Travel/communication links

1.1.3.9.2. Relation Detail View

Each relation shows:

Relation Type: Category (as above)

Related Place: Link to other place record

  • Preview card on hover

  • Click to navigate

Connection Metadata: Additional information

  • For trade: Types of goods, volume, frequency

  • For routes: Distance, travel time, mode

  • For hierarchy: Nature of relationship

Directionality:

  • Symmetric: Relation goes both ways

  • Asymmetric: One-directional (e.g., part-of)

Timespan: When this relation held

  • Example: “800 CE - 1200 CE”

Source: Citation for this relation

Certainty: Confidence level

1.1.3.9.3. Network Visualization

Graph View Toggle: Switch to network diagram

[Mockup of network graph]

Shows:

  • This place as central node

  • Related places as connected nodes

  • Edge thickness = strength/frequency

  • Color coding by relation type

  • Interactive: drag nodes, zoom, filter

1.1.3.9.4. Routes & Itineraries

Special visualization for sequential connections:

List View:

Silk Road Segment (westbound):
1. Chang'an
2. Dunhuang  
3. Kashgar
4. → This place (Samarkand)
5. Merv
6. Baghdad

Map View: Shows route traced on map with sequence numbers

1.1.3.10. 7. Attestations Tab

[Screenshot of Attestations tab]

The attestations tab shows the underlying evidence structure - every claim about this place.

1.1.3.10.1. What Are Attestations?

Reminder: An attestation is a source-backed claim. This tab shows the raw data.

1.1.3.10.2. Attestation List

Grouped by type:

  • Name attestations

  • Geometry attestations

  • Timespan attestations

  • Type attestations

  • Relation attestations

Each attestation card shows:

Subject → Relation → Object structure

  • Example: [Constantinople] --has_name--> [Name: "Κωνσταντινούπολις"]

Source(s):

  • Full bibliographic citation(s)

  • Multiple sources may support same claim

  • Links to external source if available

Certainty:

  • Numerical: 0.0 - 1.0

  • Qualitative: certain, probable, uncertain, speculative

  • Certainty note: Explanation of assessment

Timespan: When this claim applies

Notes: Additional context, methodology, etc.

Metadata:

  • Contributor

  • Date added

  • Last modified

  • Version history link

1.1.3.10.3. Filtering Attestations

Filter by:

  • Attestation type (name, geometry, etc.)

  • Source

  • Date range

  • Certainty level

  • Contributor

Sort by:

  • Chronological

  • Certainty

  • Recency of addition

  • Source

1.1.3.10.4. Conflicting Attestations

Highlighted in interface:

  • Icon indicates conflict

  • Expandable detail showing disagreement

  • Example: Two sources give different coordinates for the same time period

User can:

  • Compare conflicting claims

  • See rationale for each

  • Understand uncertainty

1.1.3.10.5. Attestation Provenance Chain

For each attestation, trace:

  1. Original source (primary document, dataset, etc.)

  2. Intermediate sources (if applicable)

  3. How it entered WHG

  4. Who contributed it

  5. Any editorial review/changes

Example chain:

Primary Source: Ibn Battuta, Rihla, c. 1355
  ↓
Secondary Source: Gibb translation, 1929
  ↓
Dataset: Medieval Islamic Travel Routes, 2018
  ↓
Contributor: Dr. Smith, University X
  ↓
WHG Ingestion: 2023-04-15
  ↓
Editorial Review: 2023-04-22 (approved)

1.1.3.11. 8. Provenance Tab

[Screenshot of Provenance tab]

Tracks the history of this record within WHG.

1.1.3.11.1. Contribution History

Timeline view of record development:

Initial Contribution:

  • Date: 2020-03-15

  • Contributor: Pleiades Project

  • Dataset: Pleiades Places

  • Initial fields: 1 name, 1 geometry, basic timespan

Subsequent Enhancements:

  • 2021-06-10: Dr. Jones added 3 name variants (Arabic, Persian, Turkish)

  • 2021-11-22: City Atlas Project added detailed polygon geometry

  • 2022-04-05: Prof. Smith refined temporal bounds

  • 2023-01-18: Network Project added trade route connections

  • 2024-02-09: Community member corrected coordinate precision

1.1.3.11.2. Contributors

List of all contributors to this record:

  • Name/username

  • Affiliation

  • Number of attestations contributed

  • Types of contributions

  • Links to their profiles

1.1.3.11.3. Datasets

Source datasets that include this place:

  • Dataset name

  • Link to dataset page

  • Which attestations came from this dataset

  • Dataset DOI/citation

1.1.3.11.4. Editorial Actions

Administrative history:

  • Review decisions

  • Merge operations (if this record was merged with others)

  • Split operations (if this record was split)

  • Deprecations or redirects

  • Quality flags raised/resolved

1.1.3.11.5. Version History

All changes to this record:

  • Date/time

  • User

  • Type of change (add, edit, delete)

  • Specific fields changed

  • Previous values (for edits)

  • Change rationale/notes

Rollback capability: Administrators can revert to previous versions if needed

1.1.3.12. Reading a Record: Worked Example

Let’s walk through a complete record: Samarkand

1.1.3.12.2. Names Tab (excerpt)

1. سمرقند (Samarqand)
   Arabic / Arabic script
   Toponym, 650 - present
   ✓✓✓ Certain
   Sources: [3] including Ibn Khaldun, Al-Biruni
   
2. Marakanda
   Greek / Latin script  
   Toponym, -500 - 300 CE
   ✓✓ Probable
   Sources: [2] Arrian, Strabo
   
3. 撒馬爾罕 (Sāmǎ'ěrhǎn)
   Chinese / Han script
   Toponym, 100 - present
   ✓✓✓ Certain
   Sources: [5] including Tang dynasty records
   
[12 more names...]

1.1.3.12.3. Locations Tab

Current Location:
• Point: 39.6542°N, 66.9597°E
  ± 1 km precision
  1500 - present
  Source: Modern cartography
  ✓✓✓ Certain

Historical Location:
• Point: 39.65°N, 66.96°E  
  ± 5 km precision
  -500 - 1500 CE
  Source: Archaeological surveys
  ✓✓ Probable
  Note: Ancient city center slightly north of modern center
  
[2 more geometries showing uncertainty regions...]

1.1.3.12.4. Temporal Tab

Overall Range: 500 BCE - Present

Key Periods:
• Foundation: c. 500 BCE (± 50 years)
  Source: Archaeological evidence
  ✓ Uncertain
  
• Achaemenid Period: 500 - 330 BCE
  Type: Regional center
  ✓✓ Probable
  
• Hellenistic Period: 330 - 150 BCE  
  Type: Satrapal capital (as Marakanda)
  ✓✓✓ Certain
  
• Sogdian Period: 150 BCE - 750 CE
  Type: Major trading hub
  ✓✓✓ Certain
  
• Islamic Period: 750 - present
  Type: Provincial capital / trading city
  ✓✓✓ Certain

1.1.3.12.5. Types Tab

Primary: Trading Hub / City

All Attestations:
• City (500 BCE - present) - 15 sources
• Trading Hub (150 BCE - present) - 12 sources  
• Provincial Capital (330 BCE - 1868 CE) - 8 sources
• Cultural Center (750 - 1500 CE) - 6 sources
• UNESCO World Heritage Site (2001 - present) - 1 source

1.1.3.12.6. Relations Tab (excerpt)

Hierarchical:
• Part of: Sogdiana (-500 to 750 CE)
• Part of: Abbasid Caliphate (750 to 850 CE)
• Part of: Timurid Empire (1370 to 1507 CE)
• Part of: Uzbekistan (1924 to present)

Networks:
• Connected to: Chang'an (trade route, 100 BCE - 1400 CE)
• Connected to: Baghdad (trade route, 750 - 1500 CE)
• Connected to: Bukhara (trade route, 500 BCE - present)
[18 more connections...]

Routes:
• On Silk Road: Sequence #7 of 23
  Between: Kashgar (#6) → Samarkand (#7) → Merv (#8)

1.1.3.12.7. Attestations Tab (showing 3 of 89)

Attestation #1:
[Samarkand] --has_name--> [Name: "Marakanda", Greek]
Sources: Arrian, Anabasis Alexandri, 2nd century CE
Timespan: 330 - 150 BCE  
Certainty: 0.85 (high)
Note: "Name used by Greeks during and after Alexander's conquest"
Added by: Pleiades Project, 2020-03-15

Attestation #42:
[Samarkand] --connected_to--> [Kashgar]
Sources: Historical Atlas of Silk Roads, 2015
Timespan: 100 BCE - 1400 CE
Certainty: 0.95 (very high)  
Connection: {type: "trade_route", name: "Silk Road"}
Added by: Silk Road Network Project, 2022-08-03

Attestation #67:
[Samarkand] --has_geometry--> [Polygon(...)]
Sources: Soviet Archaeological Survey, 1975
Timespan: 500 - 1500 CE
Certainty: 0.70 (probable)
Note: "Approximate extent of medieval walled city based on excavations"
Added by: Dr. Petrov, 2023-02-11

1.1.3.13. Understanding Record Quality

1.1.3.13.1. Quality Indicators

High Quality Record Has:

  • Multiple sources confirming core facts

  • Detailed temporal information

  • Precise geometries with uncertainty quantified

  • Multiple name forms in original scripts

  • Rich network relationships

  • Clear certainty assessments

  • Recent contributions/updates

Lower Quality Record Has:

  • Single source

  • Vague temporal bounds (“sometime in Middle Ages”)

  • Imprecise location (“somewhere in France”)

  • Only modern name

  • No relationships

  • Missing certainty assessments

  • Stale data

Visual Indicators in Interface:

  • Star rating or badge

  • Completeness percentage

  • Last updated date

  • “Needs improvement” flag

  • Community trust score

1.1.3.13.2. How to Improve Record Quality

If you notice gaps:

  1. Click “Edit” button

  2. Add missing information

  3. Provide sources

  4. Assess certainty

  5. Submit for review

See Editing Interface

1.1.3.15. Mobile vs Desktop View

1.1.3.15.1. Desktop View

  • Full detail visible

  • Side-by-side comparisons

  • Interactive visualizations

  • Advanced filtering

1.1.3.15.2. Mobile View (Responsive)

  • Simplified card layout

  • Collapsible sections

  • Swipeable tabs

  • Touch-optimized maps

1.1.3.16. Accessibility Features

1.1.3.16.1. For Screen Readers

  • Proper ARIA labels on all elements

  • Semantic HTML structure

  • Text alternatives for visualizations

  • Logical reading order

1.1.3.16.2. For Keyboard Navigation

  • Tab through all interactive elements

  • Keyboard shortcuts for common actions

  • Skip links to main sections

  • Focus indicators

1.1.3.16.3. For Visual Impairments

  • High contrast mode

  • Adjustable text size

  • Color-blind friendly palettes

  • Zoom support

1.1.3.17. Next Steps

Explore Related Documentation:

Try It Yourself:

  • Search for a place you’re interested in

  • Explore its full record

  • Try filtering attestations

  • Follow relation links to related places

  • Export the record to examine data structure