Description: Documents include any source of information, in print or not. The documents can be arranged into two groups based on content or form. In the former, the subject matter of the document is considered to classify its type, for example, a general classification of documents based on content can be: 1. documents that only provide introductory information, 2. documents that present a special topic or focus on a specific aspect of an entry. Alternatively, documents can also be arranged according to form, or their type of medium. This formal classification has clearer boundaries. It is also easier, more important and more practical, hence the actual classification of document used in the Encyclopaedia is done in this manner, including: texts, photographs, drawings (technical drawings and figures), audio and multimedia documents. A content type classification may also be applicable to some formal-classified entries, lest there be need.

[edit] Text

Description: any textual material pertaining to the subject matter that is printed in the form of a book, paper, report, documentation, etc. Textual materials in the Encyclopaedia are presented as in the following:

• Project specifications
• Description of Expression; a short account for Work, Person, Geographical Name, and Primary Source.
• Explanatory text for references
• Evidence
• Primary text
• Important or unpublished/rare papers and reports

Note: Text documents may also contain photographs and illustrations.

[edit] Photograph

Description: An image that is captured by a camera.

[edit] Illustration

Description: Any visual material that introduces or communicates information regarding our built and natural environment. By agreement, illustrations can be arranged into two groups based on their form or representation technique:

• Technical Drawing: A drawing illustrated by geometric projection methods.
• Figure: A drawing that does not represent a geometric projection, thus covering all types of painting, engraving, sketch, miniature, diagram, etc., which illustrate architectural information.
  

Each of the above (technical drawings and figures) can be arranged into two groups chronologically:

• Historic Drawing: prepared before 1320 (Solar Hiji Calendar).
• Contemporary Drawing: prepared after 1320 (SH).

Each of the above (technical drawing and figure) can be arranged into four groups according to scale:

• Regional (geographical map, roads map, etc.)
• City-, village-, site- scale (aerial photographs of cities, drawings of Surat- al- Arz, figures of Matrakci’s Travel Account, etc)
• Architectural (plan, section, perspective, etc.)
• Detailed (illustrations of details and components)

Each of the above (technical drawing and figure) can be arranged into two groups according to subject:

• Documentary illustrations: prepared on the basis of physical evidence and made for presentation purposes only, without pointing out or highlighting any particular topic in a work.
• Analytical illustrations: prepared based on documentary illustrations, usually to point out or highlight a special topic.

For monuments, for instance, architectural, structural and material, phasing, and pathology drawings comprise documentary illustrations, while restoration and reconstruction plans are analytical illustrations.

[edit] Audio

Description: Any verbal material that is saved using a recording device and provides information regarding the subject.

[edit] Multimedia

Description: The materials that make use of multiple media to communicate information. They include film (documentary or story), animation, virtual reality, and computer multimedia systems such as Power Point and Flash.
Note. File formats such as Power Point may be classified as Multimedia or Text material, depending on the case. If what constitutes the major of the information body is the text, and the movement in the sequence does not truly affect the communication, then the Power Point file will be regarded as a Text material, whereas if the major communication takes place because of the multimedia capabilities, it will be regarded as a Multimedia material.