Sharing Archaeological Data Openly.

Sharing Archaeological Data Openly: Let’s Dig Into It! ⛏️

(A Lecture for Aspiring Data Excavators & Digital Indiana Joneses)

Alright folks, settle down, grab a coffee (or your preferred caffeinated beverage – I’m not judging), and let’s talk about something near and dear to my archaeologist heart: Sharing Archaeological Data Openly!

Think of this lecture as your digital trowel, scraping away the layers of misconceptions and revealing the shiny, collaborative future of archaeology. We’re not talking about hoarding dusty sherds in a basement (unless it’s a metaphorical basement of unpublished data… then we need to talk). We’re talking about making our meticulously gathered knowledge available to the world.

Why? Because archaeology isn’t a solo quest for the Holy Grail. It’s a team sport! ⚽️ Except instead of balls, we’re passing around datasets. And instead of a trophy, we get a better understanding of the human past. Way cooler, right?

I. The Case for Openness: Why Lock Away the Past? (Spoiler: It’s a Bad Idea)

For too long, archaeological data has languished in file cabinets, on crumbling floppy disks (remember those horrors? 💾), or trapped in the minds of individual researchers. This is, frankly, a tragedy. Imagine Indiana Jones finding the Ark of the Covenant, then locking it in his garage and only telling his cat about it. Absurd, right?

Let’s break down the reasons why open data is not just a good idea, but a necessary one:

• Reproducibility & Verification: Science demands scrutiny! If we can’t verify our methods and data, how can we claim our conclusions are valid? Open data allows others to check our work, identify errors, and build upon our findings. Think of it as peer review on steroids! 💪
• Increased Collaboration & Innovation: Sharing data sparks new research questions, facilitates interdisciplinary collaborations, and allows researchers to combine datasets for larger-scale analyses. It’s like a giant Lego set for the past, waiting to be assembled in countless ways. 🧱
• Preservation & Accessibility: Data locked away on obsolete media is data lost. Openly sharing data ensures its long-term preservation and accessibility, preventing valuable knowledge from disappearing into the digital abyss. Imagine a scroll deteriorating in a forgotten tomb versus a well-preserved digital copy available to everyone. You get the idea. 📜➡️💻
• Public Engagement & Education: Archaeology belongs to everyone! Open data allows the public to explore the past, engage with research, and learn about their heritage. It transforms archaeology from an ivory tower pursuit to a shared human endeavor. Think citizen science, online exhibits, and educational resources – all powered by open data! 🌍
• Ethical Considerations: Many archaeological projects are funded by public money or conducted on land that belongs to specific communities. Openly sharing data demonstrates transparency and accountability, and can empower descendant communities to reclaim and interpret their own history. 🙏

Benefit	Description	Analogy
Reproducibility	Ensures research can be verified and validated by others.	Sharing the recipe so others can bake the same cake and confirm it’s delicious! 🍰
Collaboration	Facilitates interdisciplinary research and the combining of datasets for larger analyses.	A potluck where everyone brings a dish, creating a feast of knowledge! 🍲
Preservation	Ensures long-term accessibility and prevents data loss.	Encasing a valuable artifact in protective glass versus leaving it out in the rain. ☔️
Public Engagement	Allows the public to explore the past and engage with archaeological research.	Opening a museum versus keeping all the artifacts locked in a private collection. 🏛️
Ethical Responsibility	Demonstrates transparency and accountability, empowering descendant communities.	Sharing a family photo album with its rightful owners. 📸

II. The Obstacles to Openness: Why Are We Still Hoarding Data?

Okay, so open data is great. We’re all on board, right? Right?

Unfortunately, there are still some hurdles to overcome. Let’s examine some common roadblocks and how to navigate them:

• Fear of Being Scooped: The "publish or perish" culture can lead researchers to fear that sharing data will allow others to publish before them. This is understandable, but ultimately short-sighted. Remember, citation counts are fueled by impactful data and analyses. Open data can increase your visibility and impact. 📈
• Lack of Time & Resources: Preparing data for sharing takes time and effort. Cleaning, documenting, and formatting data can seem daunting, especially with limited resources. But think of it as an investment! The long-term benefits far outweigh the initial effort. Plus, good data management practices improve your own research efficiency. ⏱️
• Copyright & Intellectual Property Concerns: Who owns the data? What about sensitive information, like the location of endangered sites? These are valid concerns that need to be addressed. We’ll discuss licensing and data anonymization strategies later. 📝
• Lack of Infrastructure & Standards: Where do I even put my data? What format should I use? The lack of standardized data formats and readily available repositories can be a barrier. Luckily, this is changing! We’ll explore some excellent open data repositories and best practices. 🌐
• Cultural Change & Resistance: Sometimes, the biggest obstacle is simply inertia. Changing established practices and overcoming resistance to open data requires a shift in mindset and a commitment from the archaeological community as a whole. We need to foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. 💪

III. The How-To Guide: Digging Into the Details of Open Data Sharing

Alright, enough theory! Let’s get practical. Here’s a step-by-step guide to sharing your archaeological data openly:

A. Planning & Preparation: Laying the Groundwork

• Data Management Plan (DMP): Before you even start digging (literally or figuratively), create a DMP! This document outlines how you will collect, organize, document, preserve, and share your data. Think of it as your roadmap for data success. 🗺️
• Data Types & Formats: Identify the types of data you will be collecting (e.g., artifact measurements, stratigraphic descriptions, photographs, GIS data). Choose open and widely supported file formats whenever possible (e.g., CSV, GeoTIFF, JPEG). Avoid proprietary formats that require specific software.
• Metadata Standards: Metadata is data about your data. It provides context, describes the data’s content, and facilitates discovery. Use established metadata standards like Dublin Core or Darwin Core to ensure your data is understandable and reusable.
• Data Cleaning & Documentation: Clean your data! Remove errors, inconsistencies, and duplicates. Document your data thoroughly, explaining your methods, variables, and any assumptions you made. Good documentation is essential for reproducibility and reuse. 📝

B. Choosing a Repository: Finding a Home for Your Data

• General-Purpose Repositories: These repositories accept data from a variety of disciplines. Examples include:

  • Zenodo: A CERN-backed repository that allows you to deposit any type of research output.
  • Figshare: A repository that allows you to share figures, datasets, and other research outputs.
  • Dataverse: A Harvard-based repository network that hosts data from various disciplines.

• Archaeology-Specific Repositories: These repositories are tailored to the needs of the archaeological community. Examples include:

  • Open Context: A platform for publishing and sharing archaeological data in a linked data format.
  • tDAR (The Digital Archaeological Record): A repository for archaeological data from North America.
  • ARIADNE: A European infrastructure for archaeological data.

• Institutional Repositories: Many universities and research institutions have their own repositories for storing and sharing research data.

C. Licensing & Copyright: Protecting Your Work While Sharing It

• Creative Commons Licenses: Creative Commons licenses allow you to specify how others can use your data. Common options include:
  • CC BY (Attribution): Allows others to reuse your data as long as they give you credit.
  • CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): Allows others to reuse your data, give you credit, and license their derivative works under the same terms.
  • CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): Allows others to reuse your data for non-commercial purposes, as long as they give you credit.
  • CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives): Allows others to reuse your data, give you credit, but prohibits them from making derivative works.
• Copyright: You retain copyright over your data, even when you share it openly. A Creative Commons license simply grants others permission to use your data under specific terms.
• Data Use Agreements: For sensitive data, you may want to use a data use agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of data access and use.

D. Data Anonymization & Sensitivity: Protecting Privacy & Cultural Heritage

• Anonymization: Remove or mask any personally identifiable information (PII) from your data. This includes names, addresses, and other information that could be used to identify individuals.
• Aggregation: Aggregate data to a higher level of granularity to protect privacy. For example, instead of sharing individual GPS coordinates, share data aggregated by region or grid square.
• Obfuscation: Slightly alter the location of sensitive sites to protect them from looting or vandalism.
• Consultation: Consult with descendant communities and stakeholders to determine appropriate levels of data sharing and sensitivity. Respect their cultural heritage and privacy. 🙏

E. Promoting & Citing Your Data: Getting the Word Out!

• Data Citation: Just like you cite journal articles, you should cite datasets! Use a persistent identifier (DOI) to ensure your data can be easily found and cited.
• Publications: Publish your data in data journals or as supplementary material to your research articles.
• Presentations: Present your data at conferences and workshops.
• Social Media: Share your data on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Data Repositories: Most data repositories provide tools for promoting your data and tracking its usage.

IV. Case Studies: Open Data in Action!

Let’s look at some inspiring examples of open data projects in archaeology:

• The Pompeii Bibliography and Iconography Project: This project makes its extensive bibliographic data on Pompeii openly available, facilitating research on this iconic site.
• The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA): This project aggregates archaeological data from across North America, making it easier to find and analyze regional trends.
• The Çatalhöyük Living Archive: This project provides access to a wealth of data from the famous Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, including excavation reports, photographs, and 3D models.

These are just a few examples of the power of open data in archaeology. By sharing our data openly, we can accelerate research, foster collaboration, and engage the public in the exciting process of uncovering the past.

V. The Future of Open Data in Archaeology: A Vision for Collaboration

The future of archaeology is open. I envision a world where:

• Open data is the norm, not the exception.
• Data repositories are readily available and easy to use.
• Researchers are trained in data management best practices.
• Descendant communities are actively involved in data sharing and interpretation.
• Archaeology is a truly collaborative and inclusive endeavor.

This is an ambitious vision, but it is achievable. By working together, we can unlock the full potential of our archaeological data and create a richer, more nuanced understanding of the human past.

VI. Conclusion: Let’s Get Digging! (Digitally, of Course)

So, there you have it! A whirlwind tour of the world of open archaeological data. I hope I’ve convinced you that sharing our data is not just a good idea, but a crucial step towards a more collaborative, reproducible, and impactful future for archaeology.

Now, go forth and share your data! The past awaits! ⏳

(Q&A Session: Bring on the questions! I promise to answer them to the best of my ability… even if it involves some interpretive dance.) 💃