THE VAULT DOCUMENT
Classification System
The Vault Classification System defines how subjects, cases, locations, entities and research materials are organised within The Vault.
The classification system provides a consistent structure for the archive, allowing readers to navigate related subjects while maintaining a clear distinction between:
- Documented events.
- Reported phenomena.
- Locations.
- Entities.
- Research subjects.
- Historical records.
Classification identifies the subject being documented. It does not determine whether a claim is true or false.
Classification principles
The Vault uses a layered classification system.
Articles may appear in multiple categories where appropriate.
For example, a reported haunted castle may belong to:
- A geographic category
A UFO report may belong to:
- A geographic category
- A case classification category
Primary classifications
The main archive classifications are:
- Cases
- Locations
- Entities
- Phenomena
- Research
- Organisations
- Investigators
- Historical Events
Cases
A case is a specific reported event, incident or investigation.
Examples include:
- UFO sightings.
- Reported hauntings.
- Cryptid encounters.
- Disappearances.
- Paranormal investigations.
- Historical mysteries.
Case pages should document:
- Date.
- Location.
- Witnesses.
- Reported events.
- Evidence.
- Investigations.
- Assessment.
Relevant templates:
Locations
A location is a place associated with reported phenomena, historical mysteries or investigations.
Examples include:
- Buildings.
- Castles.
- Hotels.
- Roads.
- Forests.
- Lakes.
- Islands.
- Geographical areas.
Location pages should document:
- History.
- Reported phenomena.
- Investigations.
- Cultural significance.
- Current status.
Relevant templates:
Entities
An entity is a reported creature, being or presence.
Examples include:
- Cryptids.
- Apparitions.
- Legendary creatures.
- Reported non-human entities.
Entity classifications include:
- Cryptid.
- Apparition.
- Folklore entity.
- Alleged extraterrestrial entity.
Examples:
Phenomena
A phenomenon is a type of reported occurrence, experience or event.
Examples include:
- Telepathy.
- Psychokinesis.
- Near-death experiences.
- Apparitions.
- Poltergeist activity.
- UFO sightings.
Phenomena pages should focus on:
- Definition.
- History.
- Research.
- Reported examples.
- Evidence.
- Explanations.
Research
Research pages document studies, experiments and investigations.
Examples include:
- Parapsychology research.
- UFO investigations.
- Cryptozoological research.
- Scientific studies.
Research pages should include:
- Methodology.
- Findings.
- Criticism.
- Current understanding.
Related:
Organisations
Organisation pages document groups involved in research, investigation or documentation.
Examples:
- Paranormal societies.
- Scientific organisations.
- Investigation teams.
- Historical organisations.
Pages should include:
- History.
- Activities.
- Investigations.
- Publications.
Investigators
Investigator pages document individuals involved in researching or documenting unusual phenomena.
Examples:
- Paranormal researchers.
- Scientists.
- Historians.
- UFO investigators.
- Cryptozoologists.
Pages should focus on:
- Background.
- Research.
- Methods.
- Contributions.
Historical Events
Historical Event pages document real-world events connected with mysteries or investigations.
Examples:
- Disappearances.
- Disasters.
- Military incidents.
- Unusual historical events.
Historical fact should be separated from later interpretations or theories.
Location categories
Locations may be divided into specific types.
Haunted Locations
Examples:
UFO Locations
Examples:
Fortean Locations
Examples:
Phenomenon categories
Ghosts and Hauntings
Reports involving:
- Apparitions.
- Unexplained sounds.
- Objects moving without explanation.
- Reported spirit activity.
Cryptozoology
Reports involving:
- Unknown animals.
- Legendary creatures.
- Alleged undiscovered species.
UFO and UAP Phenomena
Reports involving:
- Unidentified aerial objects.
- Close encounters.
- Alleged extraterrestrial activity.
Psychic Phenomena
Reports involving:
- Telepathy.
- Precognition.
- Remote viewing.
- Psychokinesis.
Geographic classification
Articles should also be categorised geographically where possible.
Examples:
- Countries.
- States or regions.
- Cities.
- Specific locations.
Geographic categories allow readers to browse cases by area.
Classification and evidence
Classification does not represent an evidence judgement.
For example:
A location listed in:
has a documented association with reported paranormal claims.
It does not mean that paranormal activity has been proven.
Evidence assessment is handled separately through: