Appendix A - Society of American Archivists

2.4.12. At all levels of description, where the earliest or latest dates pertaining to the unitbeing described are estimates, indicate the estimated dates in a clear and consistentfashion. 25approximately 1952-1978circa 1870-1879Single dates2.4.13. If the materials fall within a single year, record that date or a more specific datetherein.19751975 March-AugustExact single dates2.4.14. For descriptions of a single item, record exact dates in a consistent andunambiguous fashion, preferably expressed as year-month-day. 261906 March 17Estimated single dates2.4.15. If no date can be found on or in the material itself or determined from any othersource, estimate the nearest year, decade, century or other interval as precisely aspossible. Record estimated dates in a consistent fashion.probably 1867approximately 1925before 1867after 1867 January 51892 or 18931890scirca August 197525 It is recommended, though not required, that terms reflecting estimation be spelled out rather thanabbreviated, as abbreviations may not be understood by all users.26Expression of dates as all numerals is discouraged due to the differing conventions in the order ofinformation.IDENTITY E LEMENTS 27