Databases
Within the framework of the CMS project in Marburg the material published in the CMS series was digitalized and recorded in the CMS Databases. The Seals Database documents the seals and their ancient impressions. The Sealings Database records the objects displaying ancient seal impressions.
The databases contain revised data in line with current insights of Aegean glyptic research. Many corrections of the data provided in older volumes have been undertaken and better images are often available. Therefore, the user will find a revised version of the CMS volumes in the CMS Databases. Consequently, the information in the former will often differ considerably from the data found in the printed volumes.
The language of the Databases is German. However, a German-English and an English-German glossary with the search terms in the two languages are available. These make it possible for the non-German speaker to use the database. The English translation of the terms was undertaken by Olga Krzyszkowska.
Access to the CMS databases
The CMS Databases are integrated in Arachne, the Central Object-Database of the German Archaeological Institute and the Archaeological Institute of the University of Cologne.
As of April 2023, the interface Arachne 3, which made freely available online the CMS Databases with all their functionalities is not accessible anymore.
The CMS Databases are now integrated in iDAI.objects arachne, which has the interface Arachne 4. This does not show all the search fields and lists of terms that were available in the original CMS Databases. However, it is still possible to search the Databases if the search terms are known. The latter are provided in the lists below, following their English translation. At the end of the list you find the search terms of the locations as they are transcribed from Greek to German.
- Provenance
- Shape
- Material and Technique
- Condition
- General information on decoration
- Figural motifs othen than creatures
- Living creatures
- Ornaments
- Stylistic attribution
- Locations Greek-German
In order to search in Arachne 4, type in the search field 'cms' and then the search term, e.g., 'cms Frau' (cms woman). It is also possible to do combined searches, e.g., if you want to search for a lentoid with a woman and a goat type 'cms lentoid Frau Ziege' (cms lentoid woman goat). You can also exclude terms by puting '-' before them, e.g. 'cms lentoid Frau Ziege' (cms lentoid woman -goat).
It is advised that you register in Arachne (free of cost) so that you can access better quality images.
If you are an advanced researcher who needs more specialised access to the CMS Databases or images for publication, contact us here.
