ArcheoBase

The AS Portal offers free access to online resources on Swiss archaeology. In this way, Swiss Archaeology is creating new ways of using data on a valuable public cultural asset - Switzerland's archaeological heritage.

Currently, CHRONIQUES online are available on the portal. They contain the annual finds reports of the cantonal offices for archaeology, reporting archaeological investigations in Switzerland over the last 35 years.

Project details

The AS Portal offers free access to online resources on Swiss archaeology. In this way, Swiss Archaeology is creating new ways of using data on a valuable public cultural asset - Switzerland's archaeological heritage. Currently, CHRONIQUES online are available on the portal. They contain the annual finds reports of the cantonal offices for archaeology, reporting archaeological investigations in Switzerland over the last 35 years.

Excavations, surveys, building investigations and other forms of archaeological intervention are the responsibility of the cantonal offices. A compilation of archaeological activities throughout Switzerland has been published in the Annual Review of Swiss Archaeology under the heading «Finds Reports» from 1907 onwards and until 2024. This unique documentation of archaeological discoveries and activities is gradually being transferred to CHRONIQUES online in close cooperation with the cantonal offices. The more than 6000 archaeological finds reports from the last 35 years (1988-2024), which have been published in printed form, are currently available as database entries. With this project, the players in Swiss archaeology join together, actively breaking new ground in Switzerland-wide digital documentation, public accessibility and valorisation of our archaeological cultural heritage.

Search

CHRONIQUES online allows multiple searches. There are three different ways to start a search: using the map, using search terms from predefined data fields or full-text search, or using the photo gallery. In addition to the main search fields, additional data fields are available in the advanced search. The search results can be organised according to various criteria. Individual find reports or a series, e.g. as the result of a search query, can be downloaded as a PDF. Members of Swiss Archaeology receive a compilation of the current find reports exclusively once a year as a PDF. -> Become a member For a search query in the years 1987-2024, the most important, but not always all data fields are available. This is due to their first publication in printed form and their heterogenous quality and standard. The integration of the volumes 1907-1986 is the subject of a continuation project that will be completed by the end of 2026. The reports of all volumes up to 2024 are accessible in the printed version of the Annual Review of Swiss Archaeology and online (free access) on e-periodica

Data

From 2025, the reports of the cantonal offices will be recorded directly on the portal in accordance with a uniform data standard. The entries will be edited by Swiss Archaeology and published in June of each year, reporting on the previous year's activities. By 2026, the earlier data from 1908-1987 will be added to provide an overview of more than one hundred years of archaeological investigations. The CHRONIQUES online contain the main archaeological activities of the respective year; however, they do not fully reflect the cantonal offices' activities. Both the printed reports up to 2024 and the digitally recorded reports from 2025 onwards always represent a selection by these institutions themselves. The main criterion is the (potential) scientific relevance of the intervention. Quantitative limits on publication have also played and continue to play a role. Swiss Archaeology does not publish any statistics. The CHRONIQUES online follow the FAIR Standards for scientific data.

Findable

Each individual entry in the CHRONIQUES online has its own ARK, a Persistent Identifier, with which the report can be cited and permanently retrieved online by humans and machines. Each entry is provided with rich metadata.

Accessible

The data is fully accessible to the public free of charge via the ARK.

Interoperable

Swiss Archaeology aims to maximise the linking of CHRONIQUES online with other resources. Common thesauri make it easier to link the find reports with other data. The terms used in the data fields of CHRONIQUES online are almost entirely based on the Art & Architecture Thesaurus of the Getty Research Institute, and partly on the ArkeoGIS Thesaurus. The defined data fields establish a uniform data standard for archaeological reports in Switzerland. So-called APIs and SPARQL endpoints enable the exchange of data. The CHRONIQUES online are integrated into the portal of the ARIADNE Research Infrastructure, the largest international data portal for archaeology. Long-term archiving is carried out by the Swiss National Data and Service Centre for the Humanities DaSCH. Further linking of the CHRONIQUES online data is currently under development.

Reusable

The CHRONIQUES online data may be reused in accordance with the Creative Commons Licence CC-BY-SA (Attribution/sharing under the same conditions)

Contact us

We are happy to receive your feedback. Please send your enquiries, comments or any error reports to the editorial team at chroniques@archaeologie-schweiz.ch.