Features

OpenAtlas is developed for easy acquisition, editing, and management of research data from the humanities as well as related research fields. Special emphasis is placed on making data entry as easy and convenient as possible for researchers while maintaining high standards in the development of the software. The features listed below contribute significantly to this effort.

Model

The data model specifies the structure in which the information is stored within the database. The use of an ontology, for example, allows the data to be combined more easily with information from other projects and is consistent with the FAIR principles.

The OpenAtlas Model is based on the international standard of CIDOC CRM, an ontology widely used within the field of humanities.

• Types can be used to adapt for specific research topics

• Reference Systems for Linked Open Data (LOD)

• Mapping spatial and temporal uncertainty

• Archaeological finds with detailed mapping

• Data integrity check functions

• Model link checker to confirm CIDOC CRM validity

User Interface

The user interface allows for easy and quick entry of information into the database, while the data is mapped in the background according to the specifications of the data model (see above). Due to the use of types, this can be designed particularly flexibly and can thus be adapted to the requirements of each project.

• Interactive map to enter places with a known location

• File upload

• Search and table filter functions for quick navigation

• Network visualization

• Notes and bookmarks

• User manual (English) with examples and context specific links in the application

• User interface internationalization using gettext, currently implemented:

  • Catalan

  • English

  • German

  • Spanish

  • French

IIIF Integration

IIIF is a set of open standards for delivering high-quality, attributed digital objects online at scale. Included services are:

• IIIF Image API

• IIIF Presentation API (manifest server)

• IIIF viewer integration (Mirador)

Image Annotation

With enabled IIIF it is possible to annotate images and link the annotation to entities via the Image annotation feature.

Data Exchange

OpenAtlas offers various possibilities to exchange data with other systems or to import data into the database system.

• API for easier exchange with other information system

• Export functions for multiple formats

• Import of CSV files

User Management

The User Management Features allows the activation of users for the own OpenAtlas instance. These can also be divided into different user groups with different permissions. In addition, the user interface can be adapted to the user’s own preferences via settings.

• User and groups can be used to grant different access levels

• Profile settings to adapt for personal workflows

• Newsletter function with automated unsubscribe links

• Password reset

Anthropological Analyses

In order to also allow interdisciplinary work with anthropological data, anthropological methods, such as age and sex determination, will be available in OpenAtlas in the future. The implementation of the age determination according to Ferembach et al. is the first step in this direction.

• Sex estimation based on the method given by Ferembach et al. 1979

Radiocarbon Dating

This tool is ment to track results of radiocarbon dating, see here.