Object- and geodata in the primary documentation

This TWG focuses on the subject area of factual and geodata from on-site documentation measures (e.g. geometries and descriptions of features, finds and profiles), whereby the emphasis is less on the generation of this data and more on its suitability for storage and (archival) output. To a large extent, documentation measures are characterized by specific and very heterogeneous framework conditions (type of measure [ research excavation, rescue excavation ], geographical and temporal framework, research question, different documentation requirements of the authorities, etc.). This means that a universal documentation tool is not available and the conceptual development of such a tool is not part of the TWG’s activities. Nevertheless, an interoperable data exchange in accordance with the FAIR principles and traceability of the respective on - site documentation should be possible.

For this purpose, joint “minimum data set recommendations 1 ” based on the N4O Minimum Metadata Set (N4O MMDS) are to be developed and exchange formats based on the recommendations of the CC Data Capture and Creation are to be applied.

For on-site documentation, the minimum data set comprises the necessary metadata containing the central information to ensure compliance with the FAIR principles. These metadata are generalized and independent of the type of measure (e.g. excavation, sounding, prospection, construction monitoring) in order to ensure uniform recording. Taking into account and, if necessary, extending the N4O Objects Ontology (based on CIDOC - CRM, schema.org, PROV - O, SKOS, BFO9) ensures comparability and referenceability to the global schema and to thematically related metadata sets¹. With the exception of fulfilling the primary TWG objectives, the focus of this TWG is not primarily on the creation of new thesauri or controlled vocabularies.

The concepts developed are to be tested in practice with existing database systems for data acquisition (IDAI.field, Spatialist, DokuBook, ArchaeoNotes, possibly other systems)

1. In a similar way to zenodo.org/records/11209289 ↩