About Text Search
Select either Architecture or Archaeology (if you are not logged in, clicking on the Archaeology button
will take you to the Log In screen).
Select your search options as you do with text-based Medusa. If you are not sure about a name, partial
strings are accepted, so "brook" in the Property Name field will match "Delabrook," "De La Brook,"
and "dela Brook."
Results will appear in a Text Search grid below the buttons. Like the Map Search grid, you can sort
by column by clicking on the column head. Click on an icon to see the Medusa record in a
separate tab. Click on the PDF icon where applicable to see the scanned PDF. Click on the
row (outside of any of the icons) to zoom to that particular location. Resources in the Text
Search grid will NOT show up as selected on the Map Search until you select them
individually, so if you want to see the info box for a resource, zoom to it by clicking
the row in the grid, then select it on the map.
Note that you can increase or decrease the size of the left pane by dragging the "handle" on the
right; hover in the right margin over the small vertical line in the middle until the margin
highlights and you see a double-headed arrow, then start dragging. This does not affect anything
on the map, so you can resize the left pane as you prefer at any time.
Note also that the Text Search and Map Search panes operate independently, so after you do a
Text Search, if you open the Map Search tab you may still see the results of your last
map search. This will refresh the next time when you select a feature or features on
the map. Likewise, the results of your last Text Search will remain in the Text Search tab
until you do another Text Search, regardless of whether you have selected anything in the meantime
using the Map Search tools. This will enable you to return to the results of your searches while
you use another navigation method, but may be a little confusing until you get used to it.
Search Hints, Architecture
Inv No: MIHP inventory number. You may enter all or part of the number.
Prop Name: Enter all or part of the property name. This search will include both the "preferred"
names and alternate names. If you are not sure of the spelling and/or abbreviation, try entering
just a portion of the name to get a more complete list.
Address: Enter all or part of the street addresses. Entries in the MIHP are generally in the
form "100 S. Oak St.," not "100 South Oak Street." Again, if you do not find a match, try a
more general search like "Oak."
Search Hints, Archaeology
Site Number: Enter all or part of state site number. This consists of the state number ("18" for Maryland),
county code, and a one- to four-digit number with NO leading zeros (e.g., "18AG21").
Site Type Description: Enter all or part of the site type (e.g., "base camp").
Diagnostics: Enter all or part of a diagnostic artifact type.
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
What does "Medusa" mean?
The name is not an acronym; it's merely a code name used for years for
Maryland's in-house state architectural and archaeological database.
Can I use this from my office?
Yes. The site is available from any computer with internet access. Archaeology
layers are viewable if you have a valid full Medusa account; "proxy" users will not have remote
access to these layers.
It is also possible to use Medusa from workstations at the MHT Library; see
"How Do I Visit the Library?" for details.
Site reports, historic context studies, and certain other documents are only
available at the MHT Library. Sometime in 2023, 2e hope to launch an enhancement to Medusa that
allows Medusa account-holders to directly compliance-related site reports remotely.
What is included in map-based Medusa?
Medusa includes: (1) the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Architecture); (2) the
Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Archaeology); (3) National Register properties in
Maryland; (4) determination of eligibility (DOE) records; and (5) properties in the Maryland
Historic Preservation Easement program. It also includes archaeological "quad files," archaeological
surveys, and Maryland Heritage Areas.
Do I need to log in? Why?
You only need to log in to view archaeological site information, as access to
that information (especially site location) is restricted and granted to qualified individuals
on a need-to-know basis. You can request an account by clicking Log In in the upper right
of the screen, and following the instructions on that page.
How do I visit the Library?
The Maryland Historical Trust Library is open to historic preservation consultants
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays by appointment only. For further information or to
schedule an appointment, contact Lara Westwood by email
at lara.westwood@maryland.gov or by phone at (410) 697-9546. Details about
visiting the Library are also available at the MHT "Visting the Maryland Historical
Trust Library as a Historic Preservation Consultant"
page (https://mht.maryland.gov/Pages/research/library-consultants.aspx).
As noted above, all material relating to Maryland's archaeological sites is
accessible only to qualified researchers with a valid Medusa account. If you need access
to this material, and you do not already have a valid Medusa account, please be sure to
allow sufficient time for your account request to be processed.
USING THE MAPS
What do the colors mean?
The different colors on the map correspond to the colors used on the database
records (red for MIHP, blue for archaeology, purple for National Register, green for DOE,
and yellow for Easements). These colors are intended to make it easier to navigate the
individual form types in the system.
How current are the data layers?
Data layers are kept as up to date as possible. Click the help (question mark) icon
on the Layer tab for detail about each layer, including the data that it was last updated.
How current are the base maps?
The base maps are provided by Esri and MD iMAP, Maryland’s geographic information
portal, and are generally up to date. See the "About the Base Maps" link on the Change Basemap
popup for more detail.
Will other layers or basemaps be added to the map interface?
We may add new layers and basemaps due to user demand and feasibility. Suggestions
for additional map services are welcome, especially if links to existing services are
provided. Please send suggestions for map services to Gregory
Brown (gregory.brown@maryland.gov).
May external users extract GIS data for their own use, such as archaeological
features to overlay on project area maps?
Not presently.
May external users import GIS data, such as project area maps?
Use the "Add Other Data" section on the Layers tab to import a shapefile.
Note that this shapefile will be for reference only; it is not currently possible to
use it to extract intersecting features for selection. We hope to add that function
in the future. For now, a user can use the Freehand Polygon Selection tool to "trace
over" an imported shapefile if he or she wants to select features within it.
ACCOUNTS AND ACCESS
Is there a fee?
At present, map-based Medusa is a free service. Some features of the site may
eventually be subject to some sort of use fee in the future.
May a consulting firm use one account for multiple employees?
This is discouraged; we will be happy to provide accounts for anyone who needs
them. The account holder is responsible for any authorized sharing of archaeology site location
information that results from sharing passwords.
Will archaeological surveys be publicly accessible?
Archaeological surveys, like site locations, will be accessible only to users
with archaeology privileges.
SEARCHING
How do I find my project area?
Zoom into the general area from the map, or use the Address Search feature to
zoom to the nearest town, street, or junction. You can also change the background base
map to match whatever map you have, and zoom using landmarks on that map.
How do I find a resource if I know its inventory number and/or name?
Use the Text Search tab to locate a resource by searching for whatever
information you have; you can search by inventory number, resource name (including alternate
names), address, etc. Once you find the resource using text search, you will be able to
zoom to that location on the map.
How do users locate resources for which a street address is not sufficient?
Users may use intersections, (x, y) coordinates, and manual placement to locate
resources. See the help icon beside the Address Search box for hints on how to enter locations.
May users search maps using (x, y) coordinates?
Yes. Use the Zoom To (Lat, Long) tool on the main toolbar.
MEDUSA DATABASE
What does the Medusa database contain?
Medusa database records include a variety of descriptive information about
each resource. These records are available by selecting a resource on the map or through
a text search. Database records are generally opened in a separate tab in the browser
so that multiple records can be displayed (and compared) simultaneously.
What is available beside the database records?
Most Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Architecture) inventory forms,
National Register nomination forms, and associated photographs are available as
linked PDF files.
How much of the inventory has been scanned?
Almost all architectural survey files (MIHP architectural inventory forms and related
data) have been scanned and are available. Newly accessioned
forms are scanned and linked on the site as soon as they are filed in the MHT
Library. Some resources may be digitized into the map database (and thus available
on the map) before the forms are completed and/or accessioned; these will have partial
database records, but the PDFs will not be available until the completed form is
accessioned. Generally these resources will appear on the "Pending MIHP Submittals" map
layer.
Is full-text search available on PDF files?
Not presently, although this is planned for the future. Most PDFs do contain
machine-readable (and selectable) text, and thus can be searched individually
after being downloaded.
Are all materials associated with paper forms and reports scanned?
Most materials have been included in the PDF file. As noted on the database
record, some resources have associated documents (such as clippings and notes) in the
MHT "vertical files" in the MHT Library. Associated larger documents (site reports and
historic context studies) are available in the MHT Library; long-term plans include
offering these digitally as well (with appropriate redacting of site location on public
documents), but this is not presently available.
