Samples

Source reference

source_reference

Legacy names

individual reference

Source reference is a unique identifier assigned first by the compiler and then by the IsoArcH database to each collected source. In each dataset, these numbers will span from 1 to n, with n representing the maximum number of sources compiled. Once in the IsoArcH database, this identifier will include the dataset number as a prefix. GRIST may automatically populate this field. Example: 1

Type	Sections	Required
identifier	hominins bio, sources, samples	Yes

Sample reference

sample_reference

Sample reference is a unique identifier assigned first by the compiler and then by the IsoArcH database to each collected sample. In each dataset, these numbers will span from 1 to n, with n representing the maximum number of samples compiled. Once in the IsoArcH database, this identifier will include the dataset number as a prefix. GRIST may automatically populate this field. Example: 1

Type	Sections	Required
identifier	hominins bio, samples, mineral measures, organic measures, radiocarbon measures	Yes

Composite sample?

composite_sample

Legacy names

is it a mixture?

This field enables indicating whether the analyzed sample is a composite of multiple grab samples pooled together to provide one sample.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
boolean	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Sample type

sample_type

Sample type relates to the characterization of the selected sample on which isotopic and elemental analysis were conducted.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	Yes

Allowed Values:

• bone
  
• fruit
  
• garum
  
• grain
  
• leaf
  
• pit
  
• seed
  
• shaft
  
• shell
  
• skin
  
• stem
  
• tooth
  
• hair
  
• beard
  
• nail
  
• gut
  
• muscle
  
• milk
  
• flesh
  
• scale
  
• feather
  
• whole
  
• tuber
  
• horn
  

Sampled bone

sampled_bone

Legacy names

sampled skeletal part

Sampled bone denotes the precise identification of the bone chosen for sampling.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Sampled dental arch

sampled_dental_arch

Sampled dental arch denotes the identification of arcade of teeth chosen for sampling.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Allowed Values:

• upper
  
• lower
  

Set of teeth

set_of_teeth

Set of teeth describes the type of dentition.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Allowed Values:

• deciduous
  
• permanent
  

Tooth category

tooth_category

Tooth category indicates the type of the sampled tooth.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Allowed Values:

• incisor
  
• canine
  
• premolar
  
• molar
  

Tooth numbering

tooth_numbering

Legacy names

tooth number

Tooth numbering allows to designate by a number the tooth sampled. assigns a numerical designation to the sampled tooth. The system adopts a straightforward nomenclature akin to everyday life. Example: the third molar is designated as 3.

Type	Sections	Required
integer	samples	No

Allowed Values:

• 1
  
• 2
  
• 3
  

Body side

body_side

Body side indicates the right or left half of a human or animal, determined by the sagittal plane, which vertically divides the body into two sections.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Allowed Values:

• left
  
• right
  

Combustion stage

combustion_stage

Legacy names

burn stage, if plant, is it charred?

Combustion stage denotes the two main phases of a burning process that are observable at a macroscopic level.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No

Allowed Values:

• charred
  
• calcined
  

Pathological change

pathological_change

Legacy names

pathological change on sample

Brief description of any pathological change on the sampled element, if present. This is a free-text field that should remain concise, with a brief and clear description.

Type	Sections	Validations	Required
string	samples	Lowercase: yes	No