Semantic Interoperability in Archaeological Datasets:Data Mapping and Extraction via the CIDOC CRM

Findings from a data mapping and extraction exercise undertaken aspart of the STAR project are described and related to recent work in the area.The exercise was undertaken in conjunction with English Heritage andencompassed five differently structured relational databases containing variousresults of archaeological excavations. The aim of the exercise was todemonstrate the potential benefits in cross searching data expressed as RDF andconforming to a common overarching conceptual data structure schema - theEnglish Heritage Centre for Archaeology ontological model (CRM-EH), anextension of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM). A semiautomaticmapping/extraction tool proved an essential component. The viabilityof the approach is demonstrated by web services and a client application on anintegrated data and concept network.[...]