Finds Logbook

With the finds logbook app, a central infrastructure is being developed by various institutions involved in NFDI4Objects, which supports the collaboration of heritage authorities with volunteers. Private individuals with an interest in searching for archaeological objects in a targeted manner can obtain a permit for research in accordance with the respective state laws. Occasionally, private individuals may also come across such artefacts by chance without any specific intention. Archaeological objects found must be reported to the relevant authorities or offices, stating the date and location of the find. So far, this report has been largely done by analogue means, so that the follow-up work within the heritage management institutions is labour-intensive in terms of personnel and time. Likewise, a certain inaccuracy in the information provided about the sites cannot be ruled out. This in turn makes it difficult to identify sites of archaeological interest.

The plan is to develop an app to support volunteers in collecting data by using GNSS technology to track the route travelled, enabling photo documentation to classify the findings and making it easier for lay researchers to create comparable, descriptive object data using integrated mandatory fields. On the side of the heritage management authorities, the recording of small finds in the specialist information systems is facilitated. The generated data is transferred directly for verification via standardised interfaces. Manual data entry is no longer necessary. Further enrichment with metadata also makes the finds available to the scientific community and ensures that they can be used in the long term.