Archaeological Artefact Database of Finland (AADA)

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Cultural Heritage
• Digital Humanities

Background:

• Prehistoric artefacts in Finland are numerous but often lack comprehensive digital cataloging.
• A need exists for a unified, accessible dataset of Finnish prehistoric artefacts with detailed typological and spatio-temporal information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the Archaeological Artefact Database of Finland (AADA), a digital resource for prehistoric artefacts.
• To provide spatio-temporal context and typological classification for Finnish prehistoric artefacts.
• To facilitate research through data visualization tools and scripts.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of data on approximately 38,000 prehistoric artefacts and 10,000 pottery types from Finnish collections.
• Categorization of artefacts by type and period, spanning from the Early Mesolithic to the end of the Iron Age (c. 8900 calBC - 1500 calAD).
• Development of an R-script for data visualization and a Python script for merging artefact information with images.

Main Results:

• The AADA database contains detailed information on prehistoric artefacts across Finland, covering nearly 11,000 years.
• Artefacts are classified by type and subperiod, offering chronological and regional context.
• Associated scripts and planned interactive interface enhance data accessibility and usability.

Conclusions:

• The AADA represents a significant advancement in the digital accessibility of Finnish prehistoric archaeological data.
• The database and associated tools will support broader research into Finland's past.
• Future development aims for an interactive user interface for enhanced data exploration and download.