Knowledge Graphs for Stratigraphy

StratiGraph aims to innovate archaeological and paleontological documentation and interpretation by developing a suite of open collaborative tools that transform how we collect, analyse, and share stratigraphic data. At its core, the project recognises stratigraphy as the backbone of archaeological and paleontological methodology and leverages knowledge graphs to represent its inherently relational nature. This suite integrates advanced annotated bibliographies, artificial intelligence tools for data curation, and 3D field documentation techniques within the shared, collaborative knowledge graph of the ECCCH, fostering a community of users and developers for their long-lasting sustainability, updating, and continuous training. StratiGraph’s hybrid architecture combines desktop and cloud tools, enabling seamless operation in both connected and disconnected environments. This offline-first approach ensures uninterrupted documentation even in remote conditions, supported by frugal AI models optimized for edge computing.

These models enable sophisticated tasks such as image recognition, stratigraphic unit classification, and preliminary artifact analysis directly on field devices, minimizing energy consumption and reliance on cloud resources.
The project introduces a “validate-as-you-collect” methodology, ensuring that data is properly structured and validated at the point of collection. This approach addresses a critical challenge in contemporary cultural heritage research: the overwhelming burden of post-excavation data integration and curation, which often delays publication and limits data reuse.

• Mission: StratiGraph’s mission is to modernize archaeological and paleontological workflows through semantic technologies, AI, and 3D documentation, reducing the time from discovery to publication while improving data quality and fostering collaborative research across Europe.
• Objectives:
  • OB1: Knowledge Graph Foundation and Semantic Integration
    Develop a robust, domain-specific Stratigraphic Knowledge Graph (SKG) that aligns with ECCCH standards, enabling dynamic representation of stratigraphic relationships, temporal sequences, spatial data, and interpretative layers.
  • OB2: Multi-Dimensional Documentation
    Implement an integrated system that combines traditional 2D recording with advanced 3D methodologies, enabling real-time semantic annotation of 3D models and volumetric documentation of archaeological contexts.
  • OB3: AI-Powered Knowledge Integration
    Deploy a distributed AI infrastructure optimized for field conditions, automating tasks such as document analysis, metadata extraction, and semantic linking, while maintaining scientific rigor and provenance tracking.
  • OB4: Ready-to-Publish Framework
    Introduce a publication-oriented workflow that transforms field documentation into dissemination-ready content through automated validation, structured data integration, and standardized templates.
  • OB5: Training and Community Building
    Establish a comprehensive training ecosystem through StratiGraph Academy, combining hands-on workshops, e-learning modules, and cascading grants to support smaller institutions and foster a sustainable community of practice.
  • OB6: ECCCH Integration and Interoperability
    Ensure full technical and methodological alignment with ECCCH, enabling seamless data exchange, standardized publication workflows, and integration with European research infrastructures.
  • OB7: Resilient Distributed Architecture
    Implement an offline-first architecture supported by the Variable Connectivity Protocol (VCP), guaranteeing uninterrupted documentation and collaboration under variable connectivity conditions.

• A Stratigraphic Knowledge Graph infrastructure interoperable with ECCCH standards, supporting semantic integration of heterogeneous archaeological and paleontological datasets.
• AI-driven tools for speech recognition, document analysis, and shape recognition, enabling automated data validation and enrichment in both connected and disconnected environments.
• A hybrid documentation system combining 2D and 3D workflows, integrated with semantic annotation and real-time validation mechanisms.
• A ready-to-publish framework that significantly reduces the time from field documentation to scientific dissemination, ensuring compliance with open science principles.
• Comprehensive training modules, workshops, and cascading grants to build capacity and promote widespread adoption of StratiGraph tools across diverse institutions.
• Full integration with ECCCH, ensuring interoperability with European cultural heritage infrastructures and alignment with FAIR data principles.
• Open-source software and FAIR-compliant data resources, fostering transparency, replicability, and long-term sustainability of project outputs.

In this section, you will find the official documents produced during the project lifetime. Reports and deliverables will be made public as the project progresses. These documents will be essential to share the results of our work with the scientific community, policy makers, and the general public. We invite you to visit this page regularly to stay updated on the new documents published by our project. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For further information, visit StratiGraph website.