Frequently asked questions
We have tried to make the purpose and functioning of this website as clear as possible by including several short manuals and help pages. However, specific questions always remain. Below are the answers to some of the more frequently asked ones among them.
Bibliography:
| Question: |
There is a theme/reference missing! |
| Answer: |
Thank you for noting. Please use the 'Submit bibliographical item' form and we will add the relevant item as soon as possible. |
| Question: |
What is the difference between these bibliographical lists? |
| Answer: |
The thematic bibliographies offer lists of references for various fields of study that are relevant to the Melammu Project. As such, they can be used as a scholarly look-up tool. The cumulative bibliography of the entries of the Melammu Database is just a list of all the references cited in database entries. It is intended as an overview, not as a search tool, and references that are not mentioned in the database cannot be added to it separately. |
The contents of the database:
| Question: |
How about the theoretical background of the entries? |
| Answer: |
The Melammu Database is intended to be a neutral collection of possible signs of the acceptance of the Mesopotamian cultural heritage in other cultures. It does not judge the plausibility of these parallels, attach conclusions to their existence, or offer a theoretical background to them. In this way, scholars who work in this field of study can consult the database and draw their own conclusions from their findings. Another point is that much is still unknown. What may seem improbable now may be caused to appear the opposite by future findings and vice versa. Therefore, it is generally not our policy to exclude information, but to expand the database as far of possible and let visiting scholars judge the relevant material through their own expertise. 'Generally', because exceptions can occur; e.g., the concept of talking does not really require Mesopotamian influences for other cultures to develop it. |
| Question: |
My field is not in any way connected to ancient Mesopotamia. How can I contribute? |
| Answer: |
It cannot be claimed that some kind of Mesopotamian influence can be found in every single spot in the world, but especially if you're an Indo-Iranian, Near Eastern, Northern African or classical scholar, it seems hardly likely that there is nothing at all. For inspiration, try browsing the database to see what kind of information has been recorded so far. |
| Question: |
Why is my work not featured yet? |
| Answer: |
The contents of the database are compiled by individual scholars, each with their own interests and fields of study. If your work, topic or field of study has not yet been covered sufficiently, then this is only because apparently, not so many scholars who work in the same field have been submitting entries so far. But the database and all of its lists (topics, keywords, periods) are infinitely expandable, so if anything is missing, please submit the appropriate entries and the gap will be filled. |
Existing entries:
| Question: |
How can I find my own entries? |
| Answer: |
Through the 'Search string' section. Uncheck "All fields". Then either check "Contributors" and enter your own name int the textfield (remember to use quotation marks, e.g. "Santa Claus"), or click on "list" next to "Contributors" and select your own name. Finally, click "Search" to get a list of all your entries. |
| Question: |
How can I get an entry to be printed correctly? |
| Answer: |
In the top-right corner of each entry, there is a box saying "Printable view". Click there to get a printer-ready version of the entry. Subsequently, click on "Print" on the top of the page, or select "Print" from the "File" menu to print the entry. |
| Question: |
How can I refer to an entry? |
| Answer: |
By referring to its heading and/or the URL. Due to the number between brackets that has been added to the headings (i.e., titles), the heading of each entry is unique and can therefore be used in bibliographies or in a resume. Furthermore, the database is programmed thus, that the URL's of the entries are stable (i.e., always refer to the same entry) and can therefore be used as a reference as well. The URL of an entry is given at the bottom of the entry. |
| Question: |
Why are there three different search engines? |
| Answer: |
Because each one of them has different qualities. 'Search string' is obviously the most elaborate of the three, but 'Keyword search' offers more options for keyword searches, while 'Browse topic' offers a very synoptic way to browse through the hierarchy of the topic list. |
General:
| Question: |
I have found an error! |
| Answer: |
Thank you for noting. Please let us know through the feedback form or by mailing to melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi, and we will correct it as soon as possible. |
| Question: |
There are boxes instead of characters in the virtual keyboard. |
| Answer: |
Unfortunately, Unicode and UTF-8 support are as yet nowhere near perfect in operating systems (Linux, Windows, etc.) and browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.). This means that extra packages or features often need to have been installed to make all characters appear correctly. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about this. If necessary, ask your system adminstrator for help, or try to install support for non-Latin scripts yourself (available on, for example, the Windows installation cd). |
| Question: |
Why are all the special characters displayed wrongly? |
| Answer: |
This has to do with character encoding. Unicode is a wonderful standard that allows for the use of virtually every typographical character, but unfortunately still not implemented perfectly in every application, in the case of browsers sometimes resulting in a scrambled display of special characters (i.e., that fall outside the ASCII set, that features only the most common characters). In some cases, this is signified by the characters "" being printed on top of the page. If necessary, you can set this right manually: in the menu of your browser, click 'View' => 'Encoding' (Internet Explorer) or 'Character set' (Firefox) => 'Unicode (UTF-8)' (this will work similarly in other browers). |
| Question: |
Why doesn't anything work on this website?! |
| Answer: |
The website has been tested on different browsers, resolutions and systems, but not on all of them. Furthermore, Javascript and html-frames have been used abunduntly, which causes trouble with some browsers, depending on their version and settings. So if you experience any kind of problem, please let us know (either through the feedback form or by mailing to melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi) and we will try to fix it. |
Submitting information:
| Question: |
Can the description of my research project be added to the database? |
| Answer: |
It depends. The Melammu Database should be regarded as an online encyclopedia. This means that a description of a research project that features its conclusions (e.g., "Research on (...) proves continuation for (...) ") can be added as an entry, but without this conclusion (e.g., "This project investigates the possibility of (...) "), there would obviously be little added value of such a submission to a work of encyclopediac nature. What would really improve the database though, is the outline of the argumentation that leads to the research project's conclusions; for without its argumentation, a conclusion may seem quite random. If possible, this could also include concrete examples of links between Ancient Mesopotamia and elsewhere. These do not all have to be in the same entry: for example, the argumentation and conclusions can be put into one entry, which refers to other entries containing the accompanying examples (through the 'Links' field). |
| Question: |
Do I really have to use the submit forms? |
| Answer: |
It is preferable to use the submit forms, because via the forms we get the information in a pre-formatted way that is easier for us to process. Moreover, using the forms makes sure that you do not leave out something important. However, you could also send us the information by e-mail (to melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi). |
| Question: |
How can I enter special characters? |
| Answer: |
Special characters (such as 'š' or 'ḫ') can be entered using the virtual keyboard. Click on the link on top of the textbox where you are entering information, find the character you would like to add and click on it. It will now be added to the relevant textbox. |
| Question: |
'Required', 'non-required': why the difference? |
| Answer: |
The 'required' fields must be filled in, because they concern information that is necessary for the submission to be of any use. The 'non-required' fields concern additional information, that is not needed for the submission to be complete, but would make life easier for us if provided. For example: you cannot submit an entry without the 'text' field filled in, because that would not make any sense. You can ignore the 'topics' field though, because we can add topics ourselves. So we would appreciate it if you could fill in all fields, not only in order to save us time, but also for yourself, to have full control over the relative position of your entry within the database; however, we fully understand it as well if you do not have the time to go through all fields yourself; we wholeheartedly welcome all submissions, no matter how detailed they are. |
| Question: |
This publication contains Melammu-related findings. Can you turn them intro entries? |
| Answer: |
Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to go through all possibly relevant publications ourselves. So if you can, it would be very helpful for the Melammu Database if you could turn (some of) those Melammu-related findings into entries yourself. Alternatively, you could also submit the relevant publication details - with a short summary - for inclusion in our Digital Library and/or the thematic bibliographies (through the 'Submit bibliographical item' form). |
| Question: |
What about the lay-out of my submissions? |
| Answer: |
The lay-out is taken care of by the administrator of the database; you only need to use one of the forms to submit your information. If however you would have any special requests, you can notify the administrator by putting them into the 'Remarks' field of the form that you are using. |
| Question: |
What does an entry have to be like, qua content? |
| Answer: |
That's up to you to decide, but there are basically two kinds of entries:
- those containing a citation from an ancient text or iconographical material that refers directly to ancient Mesopotamia (like Herodotus on Assyrian royal history);
- those containing modern comparisons between features or phenomena in the ancient world that may show the effects of cultural contact or cultural diffusion.
There is no minimum or maximum length; the entries range from short quotations or observations to a long analysis of the diffusion of a certain theme through the ancient world. If you are wondering about the kind of theoretical background that is required for an entry, that question is answered above. For more information, see also the General Description of the Melammu Database.
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| Question: |
What happens after I have submitted an entry? |
| Answer: |
The submission will be forwarded to the editor, who will process it as soon as possible. This means turning the submission into an entry, filling in possible gaps (like topics and keywords, if they have not been entered by the submitter) and adjusting the lay-out to the overall database standard. After this, the entry will be put online and an e-mail will be sent to the submitter to ask for approval of the edited version.
NB: If you have not been mailed back within three weeks, please e-mail us at melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi to find out what went wrong!
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| Question: |
Why does none of the forms work on my computer? |
| Answer: |
That's probably because Javascript is turned off in your browser. In order to use the forms correctly, it is necessary to turn JavaScript on. Because browser designs differ widely, specific instructions for doing this cannot be provided. Consult your manual or help file or ask your system administrator. If the problem remains, please send us an e-mail with the information (e-mail address: melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi). Alternatively, you can also just send the information you would like to submit to this address. |
FAQ:
| Question: |
This FAQ doesn't answer my question. |
| Answer: |
If you cannot find an answer to your problem here, do not hesitate to contact us (either through the feedback form or by mailing to melammu-db .[.at.]. helsinki.fi) and we will get back to you as soon as possible. |
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