Semantics of the PROV Data Model

This document presents a model-theoretic semantics for the PROV data model, viewing PROV-DM statements as atomic formulas in the sense of first-order logic, and viewing the constraints and inferences specified in PROV-CONSTRAINTS as a first-order theory. It is shown that valid PROV instances (in the sense of PROV-CONSTRAINTS) correspond to satisfiable theories. This information may be useful to researchers or users of PROV to understand the intended meaning and use of PROV for modeling information about the actual history, derivation or evolution of Web resources. It may also be useful for development of additional constraints or inferences for reasoning about PROV or integration of PROV with other Semantic Web vocabularies. It is not proposed as a canonical or required semantics of PROV and does not place any constraints on the use of PROV.