Standardization and Fuzzy Method as Preservation of Referred Sources: The Case of Small Finds from Phaistos and Ayia Triada (Crete)

One of the most important aspects in the archaeological documentation is the ability to preserve the origin of the information: all data concerning the sources and, at the same time, the subjectivity inside the archaeological data. The use of IT tools for the management of the archaeological data has highlighting the importance of creating standards and methods able to preserve data integrity and the link to their original sources. All these aspects were taken into account in the creation of a database developed as part of a Doctoral project focused on the management and analysis of small finds from the sites of Phaistos and Ayia Triada (Crete). Particular attention was given to many aspects: (1) the collection of sources, (2) the reading of data in order to identify the inconsistencies, (3) standardization, (4) management through multi-assignment of attributions, (5) sharing of data. Standardization (ICCD standard) has involved the terminology (typological categories, functional classes, etc.), and the structure of the database. The sources management was developed applying the Fuzzy Method, with the assignment of degrees of reliability to the attributions. Finally, communication and sharing, fundamental to the creation of a not self-referential tool, is managed through the use of the XML standard. The logical schema developed could be evaluated as a good practice in documentation and is applicable to the analysis of other types of material coming from any archaeological context.