Mapping archaeological databases to CIDOC-CRM

The exponential growth of the Web and the availability of large number of digital datasets revealed the need for integrated access to heterogeneous and autonomous data sources. In the Cultural Heritage domain, ARIADNE supports transparent integration by means of an advanced metadata schema, based on CIDOC CRM, and adapted to the needs of archaeology. In this paper we present the mappings of two archaeological databases to the ARIADNE Reference Model. The mapping of dFMRÖ, a relational database of Pre-Roman and Roman Imperial period coins, presents an interesting use case of relational database mapping where there is need to address and separate both categorical and factual information. The mapping of Gräberfeld FranzhausenKokoron, a database of 400 Late Bronze Age cremation graves, serves as a test case for a common representation of archaeological records and survey data. The importance of conceptually separating past from present archaeological activities and interpretations will be demonstrated.