Innovative archiving of raw materials: Advancing archaeometric databases at the Austrian Archaeological Institute/Austrian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Archaeometry unfolds at the intersection between natural sciences and archaeology, shedding light on the life cycle of ancient artefacts and structures. The systematic archiving of archaeometric data not only empowers intra-institute research but also allows international scholars to access organised sets of information. This archival approach facilitates collaborative research, encourages data sharing, and promotes a deeper understanding of cultural heritage.

The archaeometric collection curated by the Austrian Archaeological Institute (OeAI) encompasses a diverse array of artefacts and materials spanning multiple periods and regions. This includes thin sections of ceramics, pottery sherds, test briquettes, clay samples, plasters, mortars, glasses, metals, pigments and stones. Notably, the OeAI proudly hosts the most extensive archaeometric collections of Roman marble and pottery from Greece and Asia Minor, further enriching its repository of invaluable historical and scientific resources. Alongside these physical artefacts, the collection is complemented by a wealth of petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical data. Recognising the significance of these records, encompassing information, materials, data, and documentation, we underscore their pivotal role in safeguarding and comprehending our cultural heritage.

These collections will be made available via a web application that provides downloadable open-format data and metadata, as well as Linked Open Data, where a controlled vocabulary is linked with online authority databases. Designed as a long-term sustainable solution, the database is intended to not only present the marble collections for which it was originally designed but to also be adaptable for archaeometric collections of varying types, such as the OeAI ceramics collection.