Project
Isotopes/IsoArch database
WITTEVEEN + BOS
Isotope analysis is a technique used in archeology to, among other things, reconstruct the diet of humans and animals and determine the slaughter and birth season of animals. These data are used to trace the origins of people, animals and heritage objects. It requires high-tech technology that is only available at a few universities. To make the generated data widely accessible and thus enable large-scale synthesizing research, the IsoArcH database was developed in 2017. This is an international, open access isotope database for bioarchaeological samples from all time periods, from all over the world. IsoArcH is aimed at information exchange, collaboration and discussion between scientists from different disciplines: anthropologists, zooarchaeologists, archaeobotanists, archaeologists and historians. The application of isotope research to our heritage has grown significantly in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, strong efforts were made to improve the quality of the database, with the founders of IsoArch and Witteveen+Bos working together, supported by E-RIHS.NL and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.
The database makes it possible to carry out multi-level analyzes and realize comprehensive studies and syntheses on paleodiet, climate and environmental changes, food production, resource management, migrations, etc. In addition, isotope data can be displayed on historical maps, which makes it possible to recontextualize ancient biogeochemical data within global geopolitical frameworks. IsoArcH currently has a structured active community of approximately one hundred members. Users of the database support the IsoArch network with a small contribution. The general use of the data, consultation and addition is free of charge and possible for every registered user. This will always remain free of charge.
After a quality check by the administrators and possible (peer-reviewed) publication, data generated by researchers can be added to the general database and made accessible to everyone. One of the developments within the IsoArch database is a personal (protected) workspace. A non-commercial rate will be charged for this personal data space for maintenance costs (such as renting the server space) and secure data management. The sustainability of the database is guaranteed by an IsoArch membership and by payments when using the IsoArch database in the case of large, funded projects (NWA, NWO, European projects).
See the IsoArch website for current options and future developments: IsoArcH | Isotopic database for bioarchaeology