Working Groups

Terminology working group, member organizations & specialist meetings

A number of sub-groups have formed at different times to assist with the development of various FISH projects and products. The Terminology Working Group meet regularly, but otherwise the FISH Mailing List is used for online discussions on general, technical or subject specific issues. E-conferences are sometimes organized to invite group discussion and consensus on changes or amendments to FISH standards or guidance.

To join the mailing list, please go to FISH JISCMail. To join a working group, please contact FISH.

Terminology Working Group

The FISH Terminology Working Group (FISH TWG) help support thesauri development within the heritage sector. Meetings are held twice yearly (Spring/ Autumn), usually in London. Number of attending members is limited to 12 to 15 to keep the meetings focused but anyone can become a corresponding member.

Chair for these meetings is Phil Carlisle, Historic England.

TWG Members

• Archaeology Data Service
• British Museum
• Historic England
• Museum of London
• National Museums Wales
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• West Berkshire Council

Download FISH TWG Terms of Reference

TWG Documents

July 2018: Issues discussed at the last meeting included a proposed revision of the Period list, the OASIS wordlists, and suggested candidate terms for the FISH Archaeological Event Type thesaurus.

Download Minutes 19 July 2018

Specialist meetings

In addition to the general terminology meetings, members also meet to discuss amendments to specific subject areas, such as terminology for landforms, sediments and lithics. This will involve revision of the FISH Monument Type Thesaurus, where for example a new class will be developed called 'natural features', and the FISH Archaeological Objects Thesaurus. This may be followed by a review of the FISH Evidence Thesaurus with regard to recording palaeoenvironmental evidence.

FISH members – please participate!

The FISH discussion list is available on FISH JISCmail. This is free but you need to sign up to JISCmail to be able to participate. Click here to find out how to subscribe.

Please contact FISH if you are interested in contributing to any of the existing working groups. We also welcome suggestions for any other related topics you would like to see discussed, developed or promoted by the FISH community.