Introduction

The data in SEAD will take the form of biological and chemical/physical proxy data, i.e. fossil frequencies and measured variables derived from soil samples taken from archaeological and natural deposits. See the Concepts page for details of the methods involved in their collection.

Geographical scope

The initial geographical scope will primarily be Sweden and Europe, reflecting the contents of the two main data sources: The Environmental Archaeology Lab at Umeå University, and the BugsCEP dataset. Partnerships are being established in order to incorporate or collaborate with other datasets in the future.

Geographical scope of the MAL dataset (1996-2004).

The geographical scope of the BugsCEP dataset (as of 2007).

Database system and structure

SEAD is a relational database, where data are stored in a complex but efficient web of database tables. The structure allows for efficient data retrieval and querying, in other words, it allow complex questions to be asked of the data, and easier integration with other data sources.

The SEAD database id being designed using MicroOlap Database Designer for PostgreSQL.

Online delivery and software tools

SEAD provide online access to the raw data, and a number of simple analysis tools to help interpretation. A number of these tools will be derived from those in the BugsCEP system, including those for climate and environmental reconstruction from fossil beetle data. See the tools pages for more information.

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The SEAD team is currently prioritising the following data areas:

Master site data and metadata from MAL

Porting the BugsCEP database into the SEAD structure

Import and quality control of digital soil property data from MAL

Manual entry of key plant macrofossil site data from MAL