Sources
Location reference
location_reference
site reference
Identifier of a location, usually an acronym or abbreviation of the name of an archaeological site, as referenced in the paper or commonly recognized. Example: SSPM2024
Source reference
source_reference
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 |
Source type
source_type
individual type
A source is defined as the individual, specimen, element, or compound from which a sample originates. The type of sources is restricted to specific allowed values. Example: For a human, choose hominin.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | Yes |
Allowed Values:
hominin
animal
plant
organic residue
Number of sources
number_of_sources
number of individuals
, quantity
Number of potential sources from which the sample was collected. Typically, this number is 1. However, in complex funerary settings, such as plural burials or cremations, it may be impossible to pinpoint the exact source of a sample. In such cases, the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) will be entered.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | regex: ^(>=?)?\d+$ | No |
Original source identifier
original_source_identifier
Original identifier refers to the name of the source, usually a code, as stated in the original paper or database.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Relative chronology - lower limit
relative_chronology_lower_limit
Lower limit of the estimated age for the collected sample. The age may directly relate to the sample or the context from which it derives (e.g., age of an archaeological layer or an architectural element). For dates expressed in calendar years BCE, a hyphen-minus symbol must precede the year. Example: -753. The minimum boundary of a two sigma (95.4% confidence) calibrated age from radiocarbon dating of the sample can also be provided. If the source is contemporary, indicate the year of sampling in both the "relative chronology (lower limit)" and "relative chronology (upper limit)" fields; otherwise, use the publication year if unknown. Example: 2024
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
integer | sources | No |
Relative chronology - upper limit
relative_chronology_upper_limit
Upper limit of the estimated age for the collected sample. The age may directly relate to the sample or the context from which it derives (e.g., age of an archaeological layer or an architectural element). For dates expressed in calendar years BCE, a hyphen-minus symbol must precede the year. Example: -480. The maximum boundary of a two sigma (95.4% confidence) calibrated age from radiocarbon dating of the sample can also be provided. If the source is contemporary, indicate the year of sampling in both the "relative chronology (lower limit)" and "relative chronology (upper limit)" fields; otherwise, use the publication year if unknown. Example: 2024
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
integer | sources | No |
Timescale
timescale
Time notation system used to express a date. The timecale is restricted to specific allowed values.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
BCE/CE
cal BP
BP
Body disposal
body_disposal
disposal type
Body disposal type refers to the way the human corpse (or its remains) was disposed.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | Yes |
Allowed Values:
inhumation
cremation
scattered
Original burial identifier
original_burial_identifier
individual reference in paper
, structure number
Original burial identifier corresponds to the the name or code assigned to the funerary structure from which the source originates.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Deposition type
deposition_type
Deposition type denotes the category of funerary deposits for a human corpse or its remains.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
primary
secondary
reduction
relic
Burial assemblage
burial_assemblage
inhumation type 1
, inhumation type 2
, inhumation type
, corpse handling
Burial assemblage refers to number and timing of corpse deposition(s) within a burial.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
individual
plural
plural:collective
plural:multiple
Funerary architecture
funerary_architecture
burial type 2
, burial architecture
Burial architecture refers to the specific construction and design features of a funerary structure from which the source originates.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
simple pit
arranged tomb
jar tomb
niche grave
Container material
container_material
container type
Container type pertains to the hollow object, receptacle or enclosure utilized for holding a deceased human body or its remains. Given the array of available options, this field specifies solely the construction material category.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
perishable
stone
metal
pottery
plaster
Body position
body_position
Body position refers to the original positioning of a corpse within a burial.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
ventral
dorsal
lateral right
sitting
lateral left
lateral
Body orientation
body_orientation
Body orientation refers to the positioning of the deceased within a burial relative to the cardinal directions. The orientation is established from the head down to the feet.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
north/south
west/east
north-east/south-west
north-west/south-east
south/north
east/west
south-east/north-west
south-west/north-east
Taxonomy
taxonomy
Taxonomy refers to the classification of organisms into taxa across five ranks (class, order, family, genus, and species) using the most precise rank possible, following internationally endorsed nomenclatures. The rank of subspecies is not recognized. Example: Sus scrofa domestica will be noted Sus scrofa.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Reported biological identification
reported_biological_identification
taxonomy in paper
Reported biological identification pertains to the taxonomic classification assigned to an animal as reported in the paper, which may allude to either scientific or vernacular nomenclature.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Fish category
fish_category
Fish category offers an additional layer of information regarding the ecological niches and habitats where the fish thrive.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
freshwater
marine
anadromous
catadromous
diadromous
Plant metabolism
plant_metabolism
metabolism
Plant metabolism denotes the metabolic pathway utilized by a plant for carbon fixation during photosynthesis.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
C3
C4
CAM
Mummification
mummification
Mummification refers to the alteration of the decomposition process caused by human intervention or natural phenomena.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Allowed Values:
natural
artificial
Grave goods
grave_goods
This field indicates whether items were placed with the deceased at the time of burial.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Comments
comments
This field is intended as a free-text area for adding succinct and clear additional information related to the funerary context, complementing the existing fields.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Gender
gender
This field denotes the gender assigned by archaeologists based on grave goods, burial architecture, and other funerary materials.
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Allowed Values:
M
F
M?
F?
I
Archaeological culture
archaeological_culture
This field pertains to the characterization of a prehistoric or historical culture, typically derived from its material artifacts, and associated with a specific geographical and temporal context. This is a free-text area, typically containing one or two words, such as "Roman".
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
string | sources | No |
Decomposition
decomposition
buried in a filled space ?
Decomposition refers to the immediate environment where the decay of a human body occurs, influencing or preventing the disarticulation and movement of skeletal remains within the burial.
Type | Sections | Validations | Required |
---|---|---|---|
string | sources | Lowercase: yes | No |
Allowed Values:
void
filled space
Bibliography references
bibliography_references
A bibliographical reference refers to the concise citation of a literature source in the format of Author(s) plus Year. Examples: Salesse (2015), Kharobi and Buccellati (2023), or Colombo et al. (2021),
Type | Sections | Required |
---|---|---|
identifier | sources | No |