Search

Archaeological data repositories usually integrate excavation data archives as single data collections with restricted capacities to accommodate excavation data interoperability at the sub-collection level. This is largely due to the complexity of excavation data archives that are compiled with different tools and methodologies, use distinct conceptual descriptions at variable granularities, can often be unfinished or open-ended and may be linked to all sorts of digital data types, each with its own complicated production workflow. In the past decades, several attempts to adapt CIDOC-CRM in order to provide more explicit descriptions of the excavation domain have resulted in several model extensions (e.g. CRMarchaeo, CRMsc, CRMba). Each focuses on corresponding aspects of the excavation research process, while their combined usage holds an already demonstrated potential to support expressive data mappings at the sub-collection level. As part of the ongoing ARIADNEplus project, several CIDOC-CRM developers and domain experts have been working as a group and engaging in conceptual mapping exercises to address the practicalities of bringing excavation data descriptions together. In this presentation we will consider several issues that may be affecting the applicability of existing solutions and link these to our overall expectations/aspirations in terms of excavation data discoverability and reusability.

Semantic data modelling and data sharing are not yet common place in archaeological field excavation practice. ARIADNEplus, as a European Research Initiative dedicated to the sharing of digital practices and competencies in the archaeological community, has as one of its key goals to work out common semantic data model profiles for different kinds of archaeological data. In the Archaeological Excavation Modelling Working Group, a sub-group within WP 4.4.12, the focus was directed on exploring how to create, use and disseminate the practical use of semantic modelling for archaeological excavation data. An overview of the state of the art of this work is provided as an introduction to the different projects and experiments that were taken up within the remit of this group’s mandate.

This report documents the presentations and discussions which took place on 15 June 2022 at the "Virtual Workshop on Semantic mapping of excavation data" on Zoom. The event was organised as an open forum to illustrate aspects of the work carried out by the Archaeological Excavation Modelling Working Group, a sub-group within WP 4.4.12. The presenters, both Partners and Associate Partners of the ARIADNEplus consortium, explored semantic modelling and the use of CIDOC CRM, as well as the tools developed to assist researchers with mapping their data. Five case studies on semantic mapping of excavation data were also presented. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A, while a discussion at the end of each session allowed participants to engage in conversation and contribute their experiences and ideas with a view to making excavation data FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable).