Museums are designed for collecting, interpreting, displaying and the 
most important reason is for preserving rare artifacts for the longest 
possible period of time. When a new artifact arrives to a museum, it 
should have a special code or number called inventory number. These 
numbers are used to uniquely identify items and to add it to the data 
base. These numbers should serve as short hand for longer item 
descriptions. Sometimes numbers are applied on inaccessible places 
like the base or the back of big objects. Add to that the diversity in 
text shapes, colors and handwritings. Numbering is a vital process in museums; it provides a unique 
identification for each object. The number applied on an object refers 
to a catalogue number or accession number. Without numbering, 
objects cannot be tracked or utilized in a museum. When a cultural 
object inters a museum, it is given an accession number which is 
unique number for each object. This number is connecting the object 
with its own other information such as; documentation, description 
and current condition of the object. The number on an object allows 
the curator to track it easily and retrieve information quickly.
Numbering and labeling of cultural heritage artifacts has developed 
through years. There are several numbering and labeling methods. The 
numbering type applied on artifacts is depending on the type of 
materials needed to be marked. Some institutions are still holding on 
traditional practices although they include some flaws and may cause 
some problems. Nowadays, a range of new numbering techniques 
appeared and practiced in many museums beside the traditional ones 
or in some cases replace them. This paper will point out and focus on 
some new numbering methods applied in some museums and cultural 
heritage institutions. Besides reviewing some traditional methods still 
in used and their effect on artifacts.