City records and other Archnet enhancements

New tools to improve searchability

The record for Cairo

The record for Cairo

Archnet has recently implemented city authorities to help users find resources related to specific cities, even if they search using variant spellings, alternate or vernacular names, abbreviations, or even names that are no longer used.

For example, users will be able to find records associated with Cairo even if they search on an Arabic transliteration of the name;  records associated with Mumbai even if they search on the former name of Bombay; and records relating to Fez even if they search using the Francophone spelling of Fès. Names in Arabic or other non-Latinate scripts are also included and will display to the user, though it is not yet possible to search using them.

The cities that have been published so far are gathered into a City Records collection. The records generally include a basic historical description of the city, links to the sites it contains, and images, maps, publications and other media documenting the city through time.

The Collection

The Collection

Additional place authorities are currently being developed, so this collection will continue grow.  We welcome your comments and suggestions.  We also invite scholars interested in writing new or revising existing city descriptions to contact us.

Archnet users may also have noticed other changes as we rolled out the first phase of the 2016 development cycle.  A video is available that provides an overview of the changes.  Some users may find the help button (highlighted in the images above) to be especially useful.  It now appears at the bottom of every page.

Look for additional enhancements that are coming soon as we continue to address your feedback and suggestions.