Metadata

Why embedded information matters just as much as the image itself

In archaeological documentation, an image without context is not data — it is decoration. Metadata bridges the gap between visual representation and academic utility. It ensures that each image remains meaningful, traceable, and comparable beyond its original use.

PHOTARCH is built with metadata at its core. From file naming conventions and embedded EXIF/IPTC fields to scale and colour targets visible in the frame, every aspect of the method is designed to make photographs not just legible to humans, but interpretable by machines and systems.

From visual artefact to digital record

In a typical publication or archive, visual material often suffers from minimal metadata. The name of the object, sometimes the site, and occasionally the period are all that accompany it. But for research purposes, that is not enough.

PHOTARCH encourages a richer metadata structure — one that includes spatial, typological, chronological, and technical information. Each image is not only a visual record, but a node in a wider interpretive network.

Standardised fields for human and machine

PHOTARCH images include structured metadata fields compatible with common standards such as Dublin Core, EXIF, and IPTC. The goal is to ensure interoperability with both heritage institutions and AI-based classification systems.

Key metadata includes:

• Site, find context, and stratigraphic unit
• Typology, material, period, culture
• Object dimensions and orientation
• Photographer and institution
• Camera settings, colour profile, light angle

When embedded directly into image files, this metadata supports future database integration, searchability, and scalable analysis.