The Matrix: connecting and re-using digital records and archives of archaeological investigations

Abstract

Stratigraphic data and relationships form the backbone of all the related archaeological records from each excavated site and are essential for integrated analysis, wider synthesis and accessible archiving of the growing body of archaeological data and reports generated through the commercial archaeological sector in the UK and internationally. The stratigraphic record, usually in the form of a stratigraphic matrix, with associated relationships and data, acts as a primary, if not the primary 'evidence' for how, and in what order, the site was excavated. As such the stratigraphic matrix can be the key mechanism that enables anyone less familiar with the site, to re-visit and re-use the excavation records, understand what data is most relevant for addressing certain research questions, or problems encountered, and piece together the underlying details of how the excavator(s) arrived at their interpretations. However such records are often only held on paper or as scanned image copies (as PDFs) of matrix diagrams that cannot easily be re-used with all the associated data. This article presents outcomes from The Matrix project (AHRC AH/T002093/1) that address the current problems caused by the lack of standardized approaches to digital archiving of archaeological data using the case study of stratigraphic and phasing data.

Resurrecting, reinterpreting and reusing stratigraphy: an afterlife for archaeological data

“…As we have discussed elsewhere in more detail (May et al 2023; section 5.2), more complex stratigraphic sequences are generally associated with the excavation of sites in 'urban locations' (Hammer 2002), where a greater number and depth of stratigraphic units are more likely to accumulate as a town or city develops. It is, however, worth noting here-particularly with regard to the discussion of funding sources and project management regimes-that certain large infrastructure projects, such as Heathrow Terminal 5 (Andrews et al 2000), had significantly different, and at the time seemingly influential, methodologies and outputs.…”

“…The matrix as a mechanism for recording versus the matrix as a tool for analysis Along with embodying archaeological user requirements, the prototype also enabled investigation of the viability of using Allen Temporal Operators (Allen 1983), demonstrating their ability to enhance the spatiotemporal and temporal reasoning and interpretation undertaken during stratigraphic analysis and incorporated in the Harris matrix diagram methodology (May 2020;May et al 2023).…”

“…A range of issues regarding how archaeologists record and interpret stratigraphic information affects the wider availability and reusability of these crucial data. A series of recommendations has been proposed to address some of the key issues (May et al 2023). What is needed most is more consistency in the records that result from stratigraphic analysis and better research data management of existing archives (Higman et al 2019).…”

“…Our findings indicate that digital stratigraphic records remain largely unsearchable and unconnected, essentially un-'FAIR'-an acronym coined by Wilkinson et al (2016), which stands for 'findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable'. These principles are intended to guide data management and stewardship practices towards enhancing the utility and longevity of data assets (for a detailed discussion on the application and importance of these principles within our context, refer to May et al 2023, section 1.2).…”

“…These principles are intended to guide data management and stewardship practices towards enhancing the utility and longevity of data assets (for a detailed discussion on the application and importance of these principles within our context, refer to May et al . 2023, section 1.2).…”