3.1.3. Place Record Anatomy¶
Archived: the 2025 v4 design
This page belongs to the 2025 design for WHG v4, which was superseded in 2026. It describes features and an architecture that WHG v4 does not have. For the current guide, see the User Guide.
Understanding the structure and components of a WHG place record.
3.1.3.1. 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
3.1.3.2. 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.
3.1.3.3. Record Sections¶
Every place record contains several sections:
Header - Summary and primary identity
Names Tab - All known names and variants
Locations Tab - Geometries and spatial information
Temporal Tab - When-related information
Types & Classifications Tab - What kind of Thing
Relations Tab - Connections to other Things
Attestations Tab - Source-level detail
Provenance Tab - Contribution and curation history
Let’s explore each in detail.
3.1.3.4. 1. Header Section¶
[Annotated screenshot of header]
The header provides at-a-glance information:
3.1.3.4.1. 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)
3.1.3.4.2. 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
3.1.3.4.3. 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
3.1.3.5. 2. Names Tab¶
[Screenshot of Names tab]
The Names tab shows all attested names for this place.
3.1.3.5.1. 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
3.1.3.5.2. Name Filtering & Sorting¶
Filter by:
Language
Script
Name type
Time period
Certainty level
Sort by:
Chronological (oldest/newest first)
Alphabetical
Certainty
Source count
3.1.3.5.3. 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
3.1.3.5.4. 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
3.1.3.6. 3. Locations Tab¶
[Screenshot of Locations tab]
The Locations tab shows spatial information.
3.1.3.6.1. 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
3.1.3.6.2. 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 kmorapproximateoruncertainVisual 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”
3.1.3.6.3. 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
3.1.3.6.4. 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
3.1.3.7. 4. Temporal Tab¶
[Screenshot of Temporal tab]
The Temporal tab focuses on when-related information.
3.1.3.7.1. Time Range Summary¶
Display: Large visual timeline showing:
Earliest attestation: Start point
Latest attestation: End point
Uncertain boundaries: Shaded regions
Continuous vs discontinuous occupation
3.1.3.7.2. 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:
yearlevel precision vscentury
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
3.1.3.7.3. 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
3.1.3.7.4. Temporal Uncertainty Visualization¶
Visual indicators:
Solid line: Certain date
Dotted line: Uncertain boundary
Shaded region: Range of possibilities
Question mark icon: Highly speculative
3.1.3.7.5. 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
3.1.3.8. 5. Types & Classifications Tab¶
[Screenshot of Types tab]
Shows what kind of place this is.
3.1.3.8.1. 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
3.1.3.8.2. All Type Attestations¶
List of all classifications:
Each entry shows:
Classification:
Example:
Port City
Vocabulary: Which classification system?
Example:
Pleiades Place TypesorGetty AAT
Timespan: When this classification applied
Example:
600 BCE - 1200 CE
Source: Who classified it this way
Certainty: Confidence in classification
3.1.3.8.3. 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
3.1.3.8.4. Hierarchical Classifications¶
Some types show hierarchy:
Settlement
└─ Urban Settlement
└─ City
└─ Capital City
└─ Imperial Capital
3.1.3.8.5. Functional Classifications¶
Multiple simultaneous types possible:
Religious center (Temple of Artemis)
Port city (maritime trade)
Administrative center (provincial capital)
Military garrison (fortified)
3.1.3.9. 6. Relations Tab¶
[Screenshot of Relations tab]
Shows how this place connects to others.
3.1.3.9.1. Relation Types¶
Relations are grouped by type:
3.1.3.9.1.1. 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.
3.1.3.9.1.2. 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”
3.1.3.9.1.3. 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
3.1.3.9.1.4. Spatial Relations¶
Near: Geographic proximity
On route from/to: Part of a journey or trade route
Accessible from: Travel/communication links
3.1.3.9.2. 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
3.1.3.9.3. 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
3.1.3.9.4. 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
3.1.3.10. 7. Attestations Tab¶
[Screenshot of Attestations tab]
The attestations tab shows the underlying evidence structure - every claim about this place.
3.1.3.10.1. What Are Attestations?¶
Reminder: An attestation is a source-backed claim. This tab shows the raw data.
3.1.3.10.2. 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
3.1.3.10.3. Filtering Attestations¶
Filter by:
Attestation type (name, geometry, etc.)
Source
Date range
Certainty level
Contributor
Sort by:
Chronological
Certainty
Recency of addition
Source
3.1.3.10.4. 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
3.1.3.10.5. Attestation Provenance Chain¶
For each attestation, trace:
Original source (primary document, dataset, etc.)
Intermediate sources (if applicable)
How it entered WHG
Who contributed it
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)
3.1.3.11. 8. Provenance Tab¶
[Screenshot of Provenance tab]
Tracks the history of this record within WHG.
3.1.3.11.1. 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
3.1.3.11.2. Contributors¶
List of all contributors to this record:
Name/username
Affiliation
Number of attestations contributed
Types of contributions
Links to their profiles
3.1.3.11.3. Datasets¶
Source datasets that include this place:
Dataset name
Link to dataset page
Which attestations came from this dataset
Dataset DOI/citation
3.1.3.11.4. 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
3.1.3.11.5. 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
3.1.3.11.6. External Links¶
Links to same place in other systems:
Pleiades ID
GeoNames ID
Wikidata QID
Getty TGN ID
VIAF
Library of Congress
Other gazetteers
3.1.3.12. Reading a Record: Worked Example¶
Let’s walk through a complete record: Samarkand
3.1.3.12.1. Header¶
Primary Name: Samarkand
WHG ID: whg:45678
📍 39.6542°N, 66.9597°E
📅 500 BCE - Present
🏛️ City / Trading Hub
📚 47 sources
🔗 23 relations
✓✓✓ High quality
3.1.3.12.2. 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...]
3.1.3.12.3. 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...]
3.1.3.12.4. 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
3.1.3.12.5. 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
3.1.3.12.6. 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)
3.1.3.12.7. 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
3.1.3.13. Understanding Record Quality¶
3.1.3.13.1. 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
3.1.3.13.2. How to Improve Record Quality¶
If you notice gaps:
Click “Edit” button
Add missing information
Provide sources
Assess certainty
Submit for review
3.1.3.15. Mobile vs Desktop View¶
3.1.3.15.1. Desktop View¶
Full detail visible
Side-by-side comparisons
Interactive visualizations
Advanced filtering
3.1.3.15.2. Mobile View (Responsive)¶
Simplified card layout
Collapsible sections
Swipeable tabs
Touch-optimized maps
3.1.3.16. Accessibility Features¶
3.1.3.16.1. For Screen Readers¶
Proper ARIA labels on all elements
Semantic HTML structure
Text alternatives for visualizations
Logical reading order
3.1.3.16.3. For Visual Impairments¶
High contrast mode
Adjustable text size
Color-blind friendly palettes
Zoom support
3.1.3.17. Next Steps¶
Explore Related Documentation:
Understanding Place Records - Conceptual overview
Attestations & Provenance - Deep dive into attestation model
Comparing Place Records - Side-by-side analysis
Editing Interface - How to modify records
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