Following the Thread: Integrating SORAN's Japanese Dataset into ARIADNE

Abstract

The Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan (SORAN) is an online index of domestic archaeological excavations operated by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (NABUNKEN). SORAN emerged as a response to the need to improve the findability and accessibility of Japanese archaeological grey literature and the information contained therein. NABUNKEN joined the ARIADNEplus project in 2019 and finished integrating SORAN's metadata into the ARIADNE Catalogue in 2022. In this article we give a short overview of how archaeological data, especially fieldwork reports, are produced in Japan. Next, we summarise the history of SORAN and the nature of its dataset. Finally, we explain the steps taken to transform the Japanese dataset to allow its integration in the ARIADNE Catalogue.