Samples

samples

This table contains information about specific samples extracted from materials for further analysis. Each sample is derived from a primary entry in the materials table and represents a portion or subset of that original material (e.g., bone, tooth, leaf). The samples table is crucial for linking measurement results back to the original materials. It also allows for the documentation of multiple samples taken from the same material.

Sample identifier

sample_id

Sample identifier is a unique identifier assigned first by the compiler and then by the IsoArcH database to each collected sample. In each dataset, these numbers will span from 1 to n, with n representing the maximum number of samples compiled. Once in the IsoArcH database, this identifier will include the dataset number as a prefix. GRIST may automatically populate this field. Example: 1

Type	Required	Table
identifier	yes	samples, organic_measures, mineral_measures, radiocarbon_measures, amino_acid_measures

Material identifier

material_id

Material identifier is a unique identifier assigned first by the compiler and then by the IsoArcH database to each collected material. In each dataset, these numbers will span from 1 to n, with n representing the maximum number of materials compiled. Once in the IsoArcH database, this identifier will include the dataset number as a prefix. GRIST may automatically populate this field. Example: 1

Type	Required	Table
identifier	yes	materials, samples

Original sample identifier

original_sample_id

Original sample identifier refers to the name of the material, usually a code, as stated in the original paper, database or lab.

Type	Required	Table
string	no	samples

Sample type

sample_type

Sample type relates to the characterization of the selected sample on which isotopic and elemental analysis were conducted.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	yes	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• bone
• fruit
• garum
• grain
• leaf
• pit
• seed
• shaft
• shell
• skin
• stem
• tooth
• hair
• beard
• nail
• gut
• muscle
• milk
• flesh
• scale
• feather
• whole
• tuber
• horn
• charcoal
• mix
• leachate
• bark
• root
• wood
• tissue

Composite sample?

composite_sample

This field enables indicating whether the analyzed sample is a composite of multiple grab samples pooled together to provide one sample.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• yes
• no

Body side

body_side

Body side indicates the right or left half of a human or animal, determined by the sagittal plane, which vertically divides the body into two sections.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• left
• right

Bone

bone

Bone denotes the precise identification of the bone chosen for sampling.

Type	Required	Table
string	no	samples

Allowed Values:

• antler
• astragalus
• carapace
• carpal
• clavicle
• cleithrum
• coffin
• cranium
• dentary
• diaphysis
• femur
• fibula
• fin spine
• horn
• humerus
• indeterminate
• long bone
• mandible
• maxilla
• metacarpal
• metapodial
• metatarsal
• molar
• mtc
• operculum
• pastern
• patella
• pelvis
• petrous
• phalange
• phalanx
• plastron
• radius
• rib
• scapula
• sesamoid
• skull
• sternum
• talus
• tarsal
• tarsometatarsal
• tibia
• tibiotarsus
• ulna
• vertebra

Dental arch

dental_arch

Dental arch denotes the identification of arcade of teeth chosen for sampling.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• upper
• lower

Set of teeth

set_of_teeth

Set of teeth describes the type of dentition.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• deciduous
• permanent

Tooth category

tooth_category

Tooth category indicates the type of the sampled tooth.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• incisor
• canine
• premolar
• molar

Tooth numbering

tooth_numbering

Tooth numbering allows to designate by a number the tooth sampled. assigns a numerical designation to the sampled tooth. The system adopts a straightforward nomenclature akin to everyday life. Example: the third molar is designated as 3.

Type	Required	Table
integer	no	samples

Allowed Values:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Combustion stage

combustion_stage

Combustion stage denotes the two main phases of a burning process that are observable at a macroscopic level.

Type	Required	Validations	Table
string	no	Lowercase: yes	samples

Allowed Values:

• charred
• calcined

Pathological change on sample

pathological_change_on_sample

Brief description of any pathological change on the sampled element, if present. This is a free-text field that should remain concise, with a brief and clear description.

Type	Required	Table
string	no	samples