Here are the steps in eHRAF Archaeology to search for Aztec dog burials.

Advanced Search

For this search, it is best to use the Add Traditions and Add Subjects functions along with Keywords in an Advanced Search.

Steps for using Advanced Search in eHRAF Archaeology

Step 1. Find prehistoric culture(s) to match “Aztec”:

Click Add Traditions > A-Z index > Typing “Aztec” will find Central Mexico Postclassic (NU93) and Early Anasazi (NT95). Check the boxes to the left, then click the “Add Traditions” button at the bottom to return to the search form.

Step 2. There are 3 different ways to find subject(s) for burials, mortuary, or funerary practices.

Click Add Subjects, then choose one of the following tabs to find “matching” subjects for your topic:

• A-Z Index – (type the word “burial” in index box)
• Major Subjects – Health, Medicine, and Death > Death > Burial Practices and Funerals (OCM 764) or Special Burials and Funerals (OCM 766)
• OCM Identifier – 760 range under “Death” (this is the quickest way to see the full list of all OCM subjects included in eHRAF Archaeology)

Click the boxes to the left to select the relevant subjects, then click Add Subjects to return to the search form.

Step 3. Optional: Add keywords

In addition to using the subjects for “burials”, you can also add keywords to refine your search. Truncate relevant keywords at the word stem, and separate each word with a space. For example:

grave* tomb* coffin*

Step 4.  Click + on the lower right-hand side to add an additional search clause for adding more subjects or keyword terms to your search.

Step 5. Add additional keywords

Because you are looking for “dog burials”, you’ll need additional keywords. Truncate relevant keywords at the word stem, and separate each word with a space. For example:

dog* canis* canine*

Step 6. Be mindful of your Boolean operators. These are the AND and OR buttons. It is very important to set them correctly!

• Use AND to narrow search (see blue circle in image above)
• Use OR to expand search (see red circle in image above)

Step 7. If you follow the search as shown in the screenshot above, here is an example of a relevant paragraph result.

Learn more

Click here for a Facebook post on Aztec dog burials

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