Looking at, describing and identifying objects
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# 4 Identification

Overall, there is little evidence to enable us to identify the function of the object. From the evidence we have it is difficult to answer the questions ‘What was it for?’ or ‘What did it do?’

At this point we have reached the limits of what can be achieved by observing the object alone. We need to use our own prior knowledge, or, failing that, ask someone else or consult a reference source that might be able to identify the object.

## Activity 4

Do you know, or think you know, what the object is? If so, write down the reasons you think you know what it is. If you don’t know what it is, go straight on to the discussion.

## Discussion

If you know what the object is, what is it that gave you that understanding? Is it something specific, like the size, shape or material? Or is it a combination of characteristics, like the size, shape and material together? Or did you just know what it is because you have seen something like it before? It is often difficult to pinpoint why you recognise something as ‘similar’, but this probably involves some very general features such as size, shape and material, and perhaps some details about the way an object has been shaped or decorated.

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