Data Preparation and Quality

We believe in publishing the highest quality and most complete zooarchaeological data possible. This includes descriptive and quantitative biological data, institutional metadata, and archaeological data. Using Darwin Core standards, we will work with you to ensure the integrity and accuracy of your biological data, and using the latest in Linked Open Data methods, we will include and link your archaeological data. After we talk with you about your data, we will review it with you for possible improvements and organization, and discuss best practices for getting your particular dataset(s) ready for publication. If you host your data on VertNet or ZooArchNet, you benefit automatically from the VertNet IPT services like data error record reporting. If you host your own data set, you can request this service to make your data more complete.

Data Publishing

Once your data set is ready for publication, we use the Integrated Publishing Tool kit to map your biological data to Darwin Core and to create an archive of your occurrence data and institutional metadata. We then publish your data and make it available for use by ZooArchNet, VertNet, GBIF, Open Context, and other data aggregators – all with your permission. We also work closely with you to link your archaeological data to established archaeological repositories to align your data to developing archaeoinformatics standards, and to make your data discoverable by archaeologists everywhere. To learn more about the process you can contact us directly or review guidelines and tips for data preparation.

Data Citation

Data publishing with ZooArchNet is grounded in the belief that openly accessible and reusable zooarchaeological data is integral to biodiversity and anthropology research agendas and outreach. All ZooArchNet data is provided under creative commons attribution, and should be cited according to best practice in any publication or data citation.

Our goal is to facilitate linking data formats and terminology so they can be aggregated, shared, and used as easily as possible across the sciences and humanities. Central to data publishing with ZooArchNet is the retention and reporting of both biological and archaeological data as well as the metadata associated with zooarchaeological specimens. It is expected that all data published on ZooArchNet be cited, acknowledging the work, time, and effort of the data publishers in both biological and archaeological informatics spheres. Please carefully read the ZooArchNet Norms and Guidelines for Data Use and Publication.