The DAI supports researchers in publishing their research data on iDAI.world. iDAI.world is a networked research data infrastructure consisting of a series of specialist databases and services that provide a very rich repository of archaeological resources on the web. These specialist resources are semantically contextualised and linked using standard data systems for chronological data, places and concepts. iDAI.world's specialist databases also offer new ways of collaborating to develop and augment knowledge.
These specialist resources include digital object catalogues, excavation documentation and research data collections, which can be published as stand-alone data projects or as digital supplements to scientific texts.
Icon iDAI.objects © DAI // Tanja Lemke-Mahdavi
Digital Object Catalog
Digital object catalogues in iDAI.objects are collections of structured object descriptions and image media, which can be described with author-specific catalogue texts and compiled into an individual complete work using a catalogue structure. They are conceptually based on conventional object catalogues, but extend to a new form of publication that enables the comprehensive and contextual publication of object catalogues in terms of content and information technology. These can be presented via entry pages whose content logic corresponds to the associated publications or the research questions of the projects.
Icon iDAI.field © DAI // Tanja Lemke-Mahdavi
Digital Excavation Documentation
iDAI.field is used for the documentation of archaeological field projects. Its data can be published as digital excavation documentation via the web version iDAI.field-web. The content is modelled as resources, including measures (e.g. section), archaeological categories (e.g. stratigraphic units, finds), subcategories and image media. These resources can be linked through relationships, arranged in hierarchical structures, provided with geometries and visualised. The data model can be customised for specific projects based on global default configurations. Detailed instructions on the data model and the use of iDAI.field can be found in the application under 'Help' and here.
© DAI // T. Lemke-Mahdavi
Digital Repository
The research data repository iDAI.repo provides researchers with an accessible way to publish research data in accordance with the FAIR principles and the requirements of research funders with an appropriate licence. Data published on iDAI.repo can be provided with a DOI and thus be persistently referenced. iDAI.repo is particularly suited for the publication of data in the form of tables. However, many other file formats and media files can also be published on the platform.
Structured Data Systems
Icon iDAI.gazetteer © DAI // Tanja Lemke-Mahdavi
Digital Topographical Index
The iDAI.gazetteer is the digital topographic index of iDAI.world. It is a standard data system for place names (toponyms) and their geographic coordinates (in the simplest case, the longitude and latitude of a point roughly describing the centre of the place). Detailed instructions on how to use the system and how to prepare the data to be submitted can be found here.
Icon iDAI.chronontology © DAI // Tanja Lemke-Mahdavi
Linking Epochs and Dating
iDAI.chronontology is a web service that links chronological terms with dates. It also places chronological terms in their geographical, cultural, biographical, etc. context (where available) and some are provided with explanations ('description').
Icon iDAI.thesauri © DAI // Tanja Lemke-Mahdavi
DAI Thesaurus
On the iDAI.thesauri platform you can consult the new iDAI.world Thesaurus of the German Archaeological Institute as well as all historical and current vocabularies and term collections of the Institute. The iDAI.world thesaurus combines and standardises all thesauri and vocabularies of the libraries of the German Archaeological Institute as well as the term collections of iDAI.vocab and iDAI.objects Arachne. Authors may use the keywords provided here. Missing terms can be added to the iDAI.world thesaurus. This can be done by sending an email to idai.thesauri@dainst.de
Unique in the publishing of specialist information, they form an important part of the DAI's publishing program.
Examples can be found on the IDAI.world portal (link: idai.world/what/publications) under data-enhanced print publications with partners.
Digital supplements and data publications can only be produced and published as part of publication projects or other agreements/collaborations. Please contact the editors of the relevant series or journal first.