Sources

Location reference

location_reference

Legacy names

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

Type	Sections	Required
identifier	locations, sources	Yes

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

Source type

source_type

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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

Legacy names

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