IsoArcH database

The database is the result of a huge work of datasets compilation leaded by members of the community.

Until now (2012-2023), more than 50 datasets (of varying size) have been gathered. Data of these datasets have been homogenized to ease exploration and manipulations into a common database, thanks to a collaborative work of normalisation and a set of computer science tools to manage it.

IsoArcH datasets

IsoArcH also provides a home for datasets that needs it. Hosting a dataset @IsoArcH means enjoying an all-in-one solution : 

– a cloud space to store it
– a web page to present it and make the data available to anyone
– a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to reference it in a normalized way, for long

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need a safe place for your data !

Data operations division

Development task force

The stewardship of the IsoArcH database falls upon a dedicated development team, composed of product owners and skilled developers. Their mission is to cultivate and refine this expansive, user-friendly platform, ensuring its seamless operation and accessibility to researchers worldwide. This collective is tasked with harmonizing diverse data streams, fine-tuning data retrieval and storage mechanisms, and implementing cutting-edge analytical functionalities, all tailored to the discerning needs of the isotope bioarchaeology community.

Regional coordinators

Regional coordinators serve as the linchpins for data acquisition and collaboration within their assigned global regions, overseeing the compilation and exchange of information among diverse stakeholders and enriching the IsoArcH database with a wealth of geographically diverse datasets. Their pivotal contribution extends beyond mere data collection to broadening IsoArcH’s global network and advocating inclusivity on a global scale. We enthusiastically welcome proactive individuals to join our cause as regional coordinators, thereby amplifying the community-driven ethos of our database. If you’re eager to contribute, we invite you to reach out and become a part of our endeavor.

FAIR & CARE principles

The integration of the CARE (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, and Ethics) (Carroll et al. 2020, 2021) and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles within IsoArcH (Plomp et al. 2022), underscores the IsoArcH initiative’s commitment to fostering an equitable, transparent, and collaborative environment in isotope bioarchaeology. These principles serve as foundational pillars, addressing both the ethical and technical aspects essential for responsible data management. The implementation of both CARE and FAIR principles is important to our field as bioarchaeological samples are non-renewable and isotope analyses are destructive. It is of utmost importance to optimise their value and use by the wider research community (Plomp et al. 2022).

The IsoArcH initiative supports the CARE principles and their supporting concepts (Plomp et al. 2022). The IsoArcH database stores a wide range of sensitive data, including biological information of archaeological human remains, which must be handled with the utmost dignity and care. To achieve equitable research outcomes, it is important that data submitted to the IsoArcH database come from research works compliant with local governance processes and collected in an ethical manner (Ethics), and that the creation and reuse of data reflect people’s values (Collective benefit). Relevant parties must have control over the data processes. When data provenance or data sharing permissions are unclear, the submission to the IsoArcH database may be put on hold until clarification is provided, or even denied (Authority to control). The isotope bioarchaeology community has a responsibility to nurture relationships with communities and populations from whom the data originates and must maximise benefits while minimising harm and promoting justice (Responsibility).

In parallel, IsoArcH’s adoption of FAIR practices ensures that datasets are readily discoverable and compatible within the IsoArcH database. Through the assignment of persistent identifiers (Findable) and a standardised metadata model set up with input from the IsoArcH community (Findable, Interoperable), IsoArcH facilitates seamless data integration and exchange, enabling researchers to address more complex research questions. The data that is available open access is licenced under the BY-SA 4.0 International Creative Commons licence to allow reuse (Reusable). A restricted access option in line with the CARE principles will be available (Accessible).

Through a collective effort to uphold the CARE and FAIR principles, IsoArcH exemplifies a model of best practices in data stewardship, paving the way for a more equitable and collaborative research culture in isotope bioarchaeology.

Open license

The IsoArcH database and datasets are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0). This license fosters collaboration, growth, and altruism. More precisely, it grants reusers the freedom to share and adapt IsoArcH’s material, provided that attribution is given to the IsoArcH initiative. Reusers are permitted to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format, and to remix, transform, and build upon it for any purpose, including commercial purposes. Reusers must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made. However, they must not do so in a way that suggests IsoArcH endorses them or their use. Reusers can review the legal code of the license here. 

Data management plan

A data management plan (DMP) delineates the processes for collecting, organizing, storing, sharing, and preserving research data throughout a project’s lifespan. It is indispensable for fostering transparency, ensuring data integrity, enabling reproducibility, promoting collaboration, and meeting funder and institutional mandates. Typically required by funding agencies during the application phase or at project initiation, a well-crafted DMP is crucial for successful research endeavors.

IsoArcH provides a customized example DMP (Plomp et al. 2024) published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0) and tailored specifically for isotope bioarchaeology. Rooted in our specialized field of research, the IsoArcH DMP adheres to the Science Europe core requirements for DMPs and offers comprehensive guidance on managing isotope data through the IsoArcH database. By referencing our template in your DMP, you can seamlessly integrate example responses into your plan. This simplifies the DMP creation process while also granting you access to expert insights.