| Type: | Package |
| Title: | Access Data from the ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD) |
| Version: | 0.1.0 |
| Maintainer: | Christian Sommer <christian.sommer@uni-tuebingen.de> |
| Description: | Provides an R interface to the ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD) (https://www.roceeh.uni-tuebingen.de/roadweb/smarty_road_simple_search.php), a comprehensive resource for archaeological, anthropological, paleoenvironmental and geographic data from Africa and Eurasia dating from 3,000,000 to 20,000 years BP. The package allows users to retrieve data from the online database at different levels of detail and customize search requests. Functions return 'data frame' objects compatible with other R packages used in prehistoric and paleoenvironmental science, supporting reproducible workflows as an input provider. |
| License: | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
| Encoding: | UTF-8 |
| RoxygenNote: | 7.3.3 |
| Suggests: | ggplot2, knitr, rmarkdown, testthat (≥ 3.0.0) |
| Config/testthat/edition: | 3 |
| Imports: | RPostgres, assertthat, utils, dplyr, stringr, glue |
| NeedsCompilation: | no |
| Packaged: | 2026-02-04 13:29:53 UTC; somme |
| Author: | Zara Kanaeva 
[aut],
Andrew Kandel
[ctb],
Jesper Borre Pedersen
[aut],
Christian Sommer
[aut, cre],
Timo Patrick Streicher
[aut],
Research Center: The Role of Culture in Early Expansions of Humans
(ROCEEH) [cph],
Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities [fnd] |
| Repository: | CRAN |
| Date/Publication: | 2026-02-08 16:10:02 UTC |
roadDB: Access Data from the ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD)
Description
Provides an R interface to the ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD) (https://www.roceeh.uni-tuebingen.de/roadweb/smarty_road_simple_search.php), a comprehensive resource for archaeological, anthropological, paleoenvironmental and geographic data from Africa and Eurasia dating from 3,000,000 to 20,000 years BP. The package allows users to retrieve data from the online database at different levels of detail and customize search requests. Functions return 'data frame' objects compatible with other R packages used in prehistoric and paleoenvironmental science, supporting reproducible workflows as an input provider.
Author(s)
Maintainer: Christian Sommer christian.sommer@uni-tuebingen.de (ORCID)
Authors:
Zara Kanaeva zara.kanaeva@geographie.uni-tuebingen.de (ORCID)
Jesper Borre Pedersen jesper-borre.pedersen@ifu.uni-tuebingen.de (ORCID)
Timo Patrick Streicher timo.streicher@googlemail.com (ORCID)
Other contributors:
Andrew Kandel a.kandel@uni-tuebingen.de (ORCID) [contributor]
Research Center: The Role of Culture in Early Expansions of Humans (ROCEEH) [copyright holder]
Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities [funder]
Get formatted publication references for a single locality (internal helper function)
Description
Internal helper function that queries the ROAD database for all publications associated with a single locality and formats them according to bibliographic standards or as bibtex. The function searches across multiple publication description tables including assemblages, localities, human remains, paleofauna, geological layers, archaeological layers, geostratigraphy, vegetation, and climate.
Usage
get_publication_references(locality = NULL, bibtex = FALSE)
Arguments
locality |
A single locality identifier (string). |
bibtex |
specifies if results - publication references, will be formatted as BibTeX. Defaults to FALSE. |
Value
A data frame with two columns:
Locality |
The locality identifier |
Publication |
The formatted publication reference |
Get assemblages from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_assemblages function retrieves data on assemblages from the ROAD database.
The ROAD table assemblage contains information about classes of finds. An assemblage is
defined as a collected find consisting of grouped classes of materials, for example:
archaeological finds (including raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature and miscellaneous finds), human remains, faunal remains or
botanical remains. An assemblage comes from a single geological layer or several
geological layers of a locality, whether the nature of the locality is geological,
archaeological or paleontological. Each physical object contained in any assemblage
can appear only once in this table.
Usage
road_get_assemblages(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
Details
Use parameters to filter search results by location, type, culture, assemblage category, age or omit them to have a broader result set. All parameters are optional and should be omitted or set to NULL when not used.
Value
A data frame with assemblage information. Rows represent individual assemblages, columns contain:
locality_id: The unique identifier for the locality where the assemblage was found.
continent, subcontinent, country: The attributes specify the geopolitical information of the locality.
locality_type: The attribute specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
coord_x, coord_y: The attributes specify the geographic coordinates (longitude and latitude) of the locality.
coordinate_source: The source of the geographic coordinates.
assemblage_id: The unique identifier for the assemblage.
assemblage_name: The name or designation of the assemblage.
category: The assemblage category (e.g., human remains, raw material, typology, paleofauna, plant remains).
age_min: The minimum age of the assemblage in years before present (BP), based on associated geological stratigraphy.
age_max: The maximum age of the assemblage in years before present (BP), based on associated geological stratigraphy.
geolayers: The name(s) of the geological layer(s) associated with the assemblage.
archlayers: The name(s) of the archaeological layer(s) associated with the assemblage.
cultural_period: The cultural period(s) associated with the assemblage (e.g., Lower Paleolithic, Middle Stone Age).
technocomplex: The archaeological culture(s) or stone tool industry/industries associated with the assemblage (e.g., Acheulean, Mousterian).
is_systematic: Description of the collection method quality (excavation, survey, or opportunistic collection).
human_remains: Logical value indicating whether the assemblage contains human remains.
paleofauna: Logical value indicating whether the assemblage contains paleofauna.
archaeology: Logical value indicating whether the assemblage contains archaeological finds.
plant_remains: Logical value indicating whether the assemblage contains plant remains.
Examples
road_get_assemblages(country = c("Germany", "France"), age_min = 300000,
category = c("miscellaneous finds"))
road_get_assemblages(subcontinent = c("Caucasus"), category = "human remains",
age_max = 100000)
Retrieve dating information for assemblages, geological and archaeological layers from the ROAD Database
Description
The road_get_dates function retrieves absolute dating records for
assemblages, geological layers, and archaeological layers from the ROAD database.
Usage
road_get_dates(assemblages = NULL)
Arguments
assemblages |
specifies a data frame with a subset of assemblages, for
which dating information should be retrieved. It must necessarily contain the
columns |
Details
Use the argument to filter search results by assemblage or omit it to have a broader result set. The argument is optional and should be omitted or set to NULL when not used.
The function is designed for users analyzing time series and allows for filtering results based on various criteria.
Background on Dating Context: Not all finds can be directly dated, either due to potential damage during sampling or because the materials are unsuitable for absolute dating. In such cases, the surrounding sediment or other objects—made from more suitable materials—are dated and associated with the find. As a result, absolute dates are stored in three different tables within ROAD:
-
geological_layer_age: Dates from samples taken from geological layers. -
archaeological_layer_age: Dates from samples taken from archaeological layers. -
assemblage_age: Dates from samples taken directly from objects.
Background on multiple dates: Multiple dates may be available for a single object. For example, both the top and bottom of a stratigraphic unit may be sampled to bracket the age of a find. Different dating methods might also be used to obtain robust results, which can lead to varying age estimates. This is especially true when earlier dating methods are updated with more modern techniques. It is recommended to cross-check all results against relevant literature.
Background on aggregated ages: The ROCEEH project has developed its
own model to aggregate both absolute and relative dating methods to derive
the variables age_min and age_max. These aggregated ages are
not included in the road_get_dates function, which only returns raw data.
Background on radiocarbon dating: Please note that C14 dates are uncalibrated. For further analysis, use one of the available calibration tools, such as the rcarbon package available on CRAN (see: https://cran.r-project.org/package=rcarbon).
All parameters are optional. If not used, omit them or set them to NULL.
Value
A data frame with absolute dating information. Rows represent individual dates, columns contain standard outputs and dating-related details on:
age: The attribute specifies the result of the dating analysis as reported by the laboratory in years before present (BP). Note that 14C dates are uncalibarated.
negative_standard_deviation & positive_standard_deviation: The attributes specify the positive and negative standard deviation of the dating analysis in years.
material_dated: The attribute specifies the general type of material analyzed (e.g. bone, tooth, antler etc.).
dating_method: The attribute specifies the method of analysis (e.g. 14C, OSL, IRSL, etc.).
laboratory_idlaboratory: The attribute is the official abbreviation for the designated analytical laboratory.
analysis_number: The attribute specifies the official laboratory number
assigned to the dated sample (e.g., Pta-2345, GrA-1234, OxA-X-2456-45). It always includes
the lab prefix, followed by a single hyphen, and then the official number provided by the laboratory.
date_of_analysis: The attribute specifies the year of the analysis/report
or the first publication of the results in the format yyyy.
id: The attribute is automatically generated, sequential number. This number is unique for each age table.
publication: The attribute is a list of publications describing the respective geological stratigraphy.
Examples
assemblages <- road_get_assemblages(country="Slovenia")
road_get_dates(assemblages)
Get feature assemblages from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_features retrieves data on archaeological features from the ROAD database. Feature assemblages refer to archaeological features such as hearths, pits, or structures found at a site.
This function enables you to query feature data from the ROAD database using parameters like geographical location,
cultural periods, feature interpretation, and assemblages. Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them for broader results.
Usage
road_get_features(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
feature_interpretation = NULL,
assemblages = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
feature_interpretation |
specifies archaeological features present in
the archaeological assemblage (e.g. bedding, burial, butchering event).
Run |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
Value
A data frame with information about archaeological features. Rows represent individual features, columns contain details on:
interpretations: Interpretation of the feature present in the
archaeological assemblage. Interpretations can be "bedding", "burial", "butchering
event", "combustion feature", "cupule", "dumping area".
Examples
road_get_features(country = "Czech Republic", feature_interpretation = "textile imprints")
road_get_features(continent = "Africa", locality_type = c("cave"),
feature_interpretation = "bedding")
Get human remains from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_human_remains function retrieves data on human
remains from the ROAD database. Human remains are human fossil finds and always
associated with an assemblage. A human remain is a direct and substantial
piece of evidence for the presence of fossil hominids at a particular locality.
Next to the assemblage information the function returns genus, species,
age and sex if available and further information regarding the remains.
The dataset may also include indirect evidence such as fossil endocasts and
footprints.
Usage
road_get_human_remains(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
assemblages = NULL,
human_genus = NULL,
human_species = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
human_genus |
specifies the genus to which the described fossil is
attributed to. Possible entries include: "Australopithecus", "Homo", "indet",
etc. Run |
human_species |
specifies the species to which the described fossil is
attributed. Possible entries include: "afarensis", "sapiens", "erectus" or
"sp." for unidentified species.
Run |
Details
Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset. Genus and species parameters can be entered as a vector of strings to search for multiple entries. If genus and species are both specified, most of the time it's more sensible to enter them as single strings and not as vectors with multiple search words to recieve useful results.
Value
A data frame with human remains information. Rows represent individual human remains finds, columns contain standard outputs and human remains-related details on:
human_remains_id: Unique identifier for each human remains entry per assemblage.
genus: The genus to which the described fossil is attributed to.
species: The species to which the described fossil is attributed to.
age: The age class of the individual at death (e.g. infant, juvenile, adult, subadult, mature).
sex: The sex of the individual (e.g. F for female or M for male).
skeletal_element: The attribute skeletal_element is an anatomical designation and contains a brief description of
the fossil described in the dataset. Cranial and postcranial bones are named by their anatomical
appellation in Latin, for example: humerus, (os) capitatum, (os) zygomaticum, os coxae, etc. Left
and right are denoted as "L" and "R". Teeth are abbreviated by letters (M = molars, P = premolars,
I = incisors, C = canines) combined with Arabic numerals ([automatically generated]) to definitively
assign their position in the dental arch. The appellations "upper" and "lower" are not expressed
through a subscript or superscript number but written as words. Possible examples include: upper
L M1, R humeral epiphysis, natural endocast, etc.
human_remains_category: The attribute category indicates the element group to which the fossil belongs.
C for cranial bones, D for dental remains, P for postcranial bones, E for natural endocasts,
I for imprints that are negative molds of body parts, including footprints, S for sediment (containing human aDNA).
Examples
road_get_human_remains(subcontinent = "East Africa", human_genus = c('Paranthropus'))
road_get_human_remains(subcontinent = 'Caucasus', human_genus = 'Homo',
human_species = 'neanderthalensis')
Get lithic raw material from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_lithic_raw_materials retrieves data of lithic finds
from the ROAD database. Lithic raw materials refer to the types of rock used for
tool production in archaeological contexts. This function allows you to query
lithic raw material data from the ROAD database using parameters such as
geographical location, cultural periods, raw material types, and assemblages.
Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them to retrieve a broader
dataset.
Usage
road_get_lithic_raw_materials(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
raw_material_list = NULL,
transport_distance = NULL,
assemblages = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
raw_material_list |
specifies lithic raw materials (e.g. quartz, chert, flint).
Consider the function |
transport_distance |
specifies one of the five category, each distinguished by specific intervals of transport for the raw materials present in the assemblage. The five classes of transport distance are:
Run |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
Value
A data frame with information about lithic finds. Rows represent individual raw material finds, columns contain details on:
transport distance: Specific interval of transport for the
raw materials in the given record.
percentage: Percentage of the raw materials of the given record
in the corresponding assemblage.
raw material list: List of raw materials of the given record.
Examples
road_get_lithic_raw_materials(subcontinent = "South Asia", raw_material_list = c("limestone"))
road_get_lithic_raw_materials(subcontinent = c("Caucasus"), locality_type = "cave",
raw_material_list = c("chalcedony", "limestone"))
Get lithic typology from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_lithic_typologies function retrieves data on find typology
from the ROAD database. Lithic typology refers to the classification of stone tools
based on their shape, technology, and function. This function allows you to query
lithic typology data using various parameters, such as geographical location, cultural
period, tool type, and assemblage. Use these parameters to filter results according to
your research needs, or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset.
Usage
road_get_lithic_typologies(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
assemblages = NULL,
tool_list = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
tool_list |
specifies values that can be entered for various tool types.
Tool types can contain 1) chipped tool types like scraper end, scraper side,
scraper, carinated, burin, handaxe, chopper, cleaver, point, point unifacial,
segment, unknown; 2) non-chipped tool types like grindstone upper, hammerstone,
anvil, retoucher; 3) non-tools like core, debitage, flake, point; 4) unknown
like cobble, block, manuport. Run |
Value
A data frame with information about lithic typology. Rows represent individual lithic finds, columns contain typology-related details on:
typology: Description of the tool type group present in the
lithic record. Possible values are: "chipped tool", "non-chipped tool", "non-tool",
and "unknown".
percentage:Percentage of the given typology within the corresponding assemblage.
tool_list: List of specific tool types present in the lithic record.
Examples
road_get_lithic_typologies(country = c("South Africa"), tool_list = "adze")
road_get_lithic_typologies(subcontinent = "Eastern Europe",
tool_list = c("bladelet burin spall"))
Get localities from the ROAD Database
Description
The road_get_localities funrction retrieves data of archaeological
sites (localities) from the ROAD database. The ROAD table locality provides basic
information about each location where an assemblage of archaeological,
paleoanthropological, paleontological, paleobotanical or other relevant material
was described, recorded, sampled or collected. Every locality (site) is
situated in a specific country within a given geographic region. The name of every
locality is unique.
Usage
road_get_localities(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
Details
Use parameters to filter search results by location, type, or culture or omit them to have a broader result set. All parameters are optional and should be omitted or set to NULL when not used.
Value
A data frame with location information. Rows represent individual locations, columns contain location-related details on:
continent, subcontinent, country: The attributes specify the geopolitical information of the locality.
locality_type: The attribute specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
coord_x, coord_y: The attributes specify the geographic coordinates (longitude and latitude) of the locality.
coordination_source: The attribute contains information about the source of coordinates for a locality.
category: Specifies the category of the findings associated with the locality. If there are multiple, they are returned in a comma separated list.
cultural_period: Specifies the cultural epoch(s) associated with the locality. If there are multiple, they are returned in a comma separated list.
technocomplex: Specifies the archaeological culture or named stone tool industry associated with the locality. If there are multiple, they are returned in a comma separated list.
subset_age_min, subset_age_max: The attributes specify the minimum and maximum age of all assemblages associated with the locality that match the search criteria.
locality_age_min, locality_age_max: The attributes specify the overall minimum and maximum age of all assemblages associated with this locality.
Examples
road_get_localities(continent = "Europe",
locality_type = c("basin", "quarry"))
road_get_localities(country = c("Germany","Austria"),
cultural_period = "Epipaleolithic")
Get miscellaneous finds from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_miscellaneous_finds retrieves data of miscellaneous finds from the ROAD database.
Miscellaneous finds are archaeological objects that do not fit into other specific categories.
Miscellaneous finds are classified by their material.
This function allows you to query miscellaneous finds data from the ROAD database
using parameters such as geographical location,
cultural periods, material types, and assemblages. Use the parameters to filter the results
or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset.
Usage
road_get_miscellaneous_finds(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
miscellaneous_find_material = NULL,
assemblages = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
miscellaneous_find_material |
specifies material of the miscellaneous
finds (e.g. shell, ochre, ostrich eggshell).
Run |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
Value
A data frame with information about miscellaneous finds. Rows represent individual finds, columns contain details on:
miscellaneous find material: Material of the miscellaneous
find. Some examples: beeswax, bitumen, clay, flax fiber, fossil, mineral
diverse (materials such as crystals), mineral pigment (colorants such as
ochre, hematite, limonite, goethite, specularite, etc.) ostrich eggshell
miscellaneous find material source: List with specific
intervals of transport for the raw material used to manufacture the
miscellaneous finds. Five fixed types of material source are possible:
local (0-5 km)
regional (6-20 km)
supra-regional (21-100 km)
distant (>100 km)
unknown
number: Number of individual pieces of a given material present
in an assemblage with miscellaneous finds.
Examples
road_get_miscellaneous_finds(country = "Sudan", miscellaneous_find_material = "wood fossil")
road_get_miscellaneous_finds(continent = c("Africa"), locality_type = "open air",
miscellaneous_find_material = "shell")
Get organic tools from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_organic_tools function retrieves data on organic tools from the
ROAD database. Organic tools are artifacts made from organic materials such as
bone, antler, or wood, found in archaeological contexts. This function enables
you to query organic tool data from the ROAD database based on parameters like
geographical location, cultural periods, tool interpretation, and assemblages.
Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them for broader results.
Usage
road_get_organic_tools(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
organic_tool_interpretation = NULL,
assemblages = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
organic_tool_interpretation |
specifies interpreted organic tool types
(e.g. lance/spear, point, retoucher).
Run |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
Value
A data frame with information about organic tools. Rows represent individual organic finds, columns contain details on:
organic tool interpretation: List of organic tool types of
the given record.
organic raw material: Material from which an organic tool is made.
organic tool technology: List of actions used to manufacture
organic tools of the given record.
number: Number of individual pieces for the organic raw
material in the assemblage.
Examples
road_get_organic_tools(country = c("France"), organic_tool_interpretation = "fishhook")
road_get_organic_tools(country = "Germany", organic_tool_interpretation = c("lance/spear"))
Get paleofauna data from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_paleofauna function retrieves data on paleofauna finds from the ROAD database.
Paleofauna finds are animal fossil remains discovered in archaeological contexts and are always associated with an assemblage.
These finds provide direct evidence for the presence of animal species at a particular locality and time.
The function returns information about the assemblage in which certain faunal remains were found as well as their genus and species.
Usage
road_get_paleofauna(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
assemblages = NULL,
fauna_genus = NULL,
fauna_species = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
fauna_genus |
specifies the genus to which the described faunal remains
is attributed to. Possible entries include: "Mammuthus", "Vulpes" etc.
Run |
fauna_species |
specifies the species to which the
described faunal remains is attributed. Possible entries include:
"primigenius", "vulpes" or "sp." for unidentified species. Run
|
Details
Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset. Genus and species parameters can be entered as a vector of strings to search for multiple entries. If genus and species are both specified, most of the time it's more sensible to enter them as single strings and not as vectors with multiple search words to recieve useful results.
Value
A data frame with paleofauna information. Rows represent individual faunal remains finds, columns contain standard outputs and faunal remains-related details on:
fauna_genus, fauna_species: The attributes specify the taxonomic classification of the paleofaunal remains.
Examples
road_get_paleofauna(country = c("Spain", "Portugal"), fauna_genus = "Mammuthus")
road_get_paleofauna(continent = "Africa", fauna_genus = "Vulpes",
fauna_species = "vulpes")
Get paleobotany data from the ROAD database
Description
The function road_get_plantremains retrieves data on paleobotanical remains from the ROAD database.
Paleobotanical remains are plant remains found in archaeological contexts and are associated with
assemblages.
Usage
road_get_plantremains(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
assemblages = NULL,
plant_remains = NULL,
plant_family = NULL,
plant_genus = NULL,
plant_species = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
plant_remains |
specifies the type of plant remains. Possible entries
include: "pollen", "plant macroremains" etc. Run
|
plant_family |
specifies the family to which the described plant remains
is attributed to. Possible entries include: "Poaceae", "Typhaceae" etc.
Run |
plant_genus |
specifies the genus name of the taxon.
Run |
plant_species |
specifies the full and valid species name including
author’s name (e.g. Quercus ilex L., Sciadopitys verticillata (Thunb.)
Siebold & Zucc). Run |
Details
This function allows you to query paleobotanical data based on various parameters such as geographical location, cultural periods, plant taxonomy, and assemblages. Use the parameters to filter the results or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset. Genus and species parameters can be entered as a vector of strings to search for multiple entries. If genus and species are both specified, most of the time it's more sensible to enter them as single strings and not as vectors with multiple search words to receive useful results.
Value
A data frame with plant remains information. Rows represent individual plant remains finds, columns contain standard outputs and plant remains-related details on:
plant_remains: The attribute specifies the type of plant remains
(e.g. pollen, plant macroremains).
plant_family, plant_genus, plant_species:
The attributes specify the taxonomic classification of the plant remains.
Examples
road_get_plantremains(subcontinent = "Central Asia", plant_family = "Poaceae",
plant_genus = "Setaria")
road_get_plantremains(country = c("Israel"), plant_remains = "starch")
Get publication references from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_publications function retrieves publication
references from the ROAD database. Entries are available in the BibTex
format or formatted according to bibliographic conventions, including books,
journal articles, book chapters, theses, and web pages.
Usage
road_get_publications(localities = NULL, bibtex = FALSE)
Arguments
localities |
specifies the subset of localities for which publications
should be retrieved. This parameter can be a string (a single locality name),
a vector of strings (multiple locality names), or a data frame containing a
|
bibtex |
specifies if publication references should be formatted as |
Details
Use arguments to filter search results by location or output format, or omit them to have a broader result set. All arguments are optional and should be omitted or set to NULL when not used.
With localities = NULL (the default), the function produces a
complete list of all references compiled in ROAD, with each publication
appearing only once. When localities is specified, duplicates may occur
in the Publication column, if a single source provides information for
multiple sites.
All parameters are optional. If not used, omit them or set them to NULL.
Value
A data frame with two columns:
Locality: Is only returned, if the argument localities
is populated.
Publication: Items from ROAD's publication table, formatted as
reference or BibTex.
Examples
road_get_publications(localities = c("Apollo 11", "Berg Aukas"))
# Using result from road_get_localities
locs <- road_get_localities(country = "Estonia")
road_get_publications(localities = locs)
Get symbolic artifacts from the ROAD database
Description
The road_get_symbolic_artifacts retrieves data on symbolic artifacts from the ROAD database.
Symbolic artifacts are objects interpreted as having symbolic or cultural significance
in archaeological contexts. This function allows you to query symbolic artifact
data from the ROAD database using parameters such as geographical location,
cultural periods, artifact interpretation, and assemblages. Use the parameters
to filter the results or omit them to retrieve a broader dataset.
Usage
road_get_symbolic_artifacts(
continent = NULL,
subcontinent = NULL,
country = NULL,
locality_type = NULL,
cultural_period = NULL,
technocomplex = NULL,
category = NULL,
age_min = NULL,
age_max = NULL,
symbolic_artifact_interpretation = NULL,
assemblages = NULL
)
Arguments
continent |
specifies the continent(s) (e.g. Africa, Europe, Asia).
Run |
subcontinent |
specifies the continental region(s) (e.g. Southern Europe).
Run |
country |
specifies the name of the country where a locality is situated
(e.g. Germany, Kenya, Saudi Arabia). Run |
locality_type |
specifies the type of locality (e.g. cave, rockshelter, open air).
Run |
cultural_period |
specifies the main cultural epoch(s) and includes the
Eurasian Paleolithic (Lower, Middle, Upper, Epi-) and the African Stone Age
(Earlier, Middle, Later). Run |
technocomplex |
specifies an archaeological culture or named stone tool
industry (e.g. Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian).
Run |
category |
specifies the assemblage category with the classes
human remains, raw material, typology, technology, function, organic tools,
symbolic artifacts, feature, miscellaneous finds, paleofauna, animal remains,
plant remains. The argument |
age_min |
specifies the minimum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
age_max |
specifies the maximum age in years before present, using 1950 CE
as the baseline. If possible the argument |
symbolic_artifact_interpretation |
specifies the interpretation of
symbolic artifacts (e.g. abstract, anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, instrument,
ornament). Run |
assemblages |
specifies a data frame necessarily containing columns locality_id, assemblage_id. It can be generated as return value of the function 'road_get_assemblages'. It can be used instead of the locality and assemblage search parameters to filter the results. |
Value
A data frame with information about symbolic artifacts. Rows represent individual symbolic finds, columns contain details on:
symbolic artifacts category: List of symbolic categories
(art, music, ornament).
symbolic artifacts technology: List of technologies such as:
painting, engraving, carving, molding, polishing, imprinting, etc.
symbolic artifacts material: Material of the symbolic artifact,
for example: antler, bone, cave wall, clay, ivory, ochre, ostrich eggshell.
symbolic artifacts raw material source: List with specific
intervals of transport for the raw material used to manufacture the symbolic
artifact. Five fixed types of raw material source are possible:
local (0-5 km)
regional (6-20 km)
supra-regional (21-100 km)
distant (>100 km)
unknown
Examples
road_get_symbolic_artifacts(continent = "Europe", locality_type = "rock shelter",
symbolic_artifact_interpretation = "instrument")
road_get_symbolic_artifacts(subcontinent = "Southern Africa",
symbolic_artifact_interpretation = "zoomorphic")
Get argument values from the ROAD Database
Description
The road_list_argument_values function returns a list of unique values
that can be used to populate functional arguments. This is particularly useful for
users who want to see which values are available or verify their exact spelling
(e.g., country names). Only categorical arguments are supported.
Usage
road_list_argument_values(function_argument)
Arguments
function_argument |
Name of a general or specific function argument used
with one of the
|
Value
List of attribute values.
Examples
road_list_argument_values("locality_type")
road_list_argument_values("subcontinent")
Get an overview of categorical values in the ROAD database
Description
The 'road_summarize_archaeology' function provides a quick overview of the
presence of a given search term across archaeology-related tables/attributes
in the ROAD database and archaeology-related road_get_* functions in roadDB.
It queries all relevant functions and returns a list indicating whether
each function contains the search term. This helps you identify the appropriate
road_get_* functions for your search.
Once identified, you can apply these functions to retrieve the relevant assemblages.
Usage
road_summarize_archaeology(term)
Arguments
term |
A string containing the search term (one item). |
Details
Background: The ROAD archaeology database is rich in categorical data, where
archaeological findings are grouped according to their characteristics. These
categories can be accessed using a variety of road_get_* functions, such as:
-
road_get_lithic_typologies() -
road_get_lithic_raw_materials() -
road_get_organic_tools() -
road_get_symbolic_artifacts() -
road_get_features() -
road_get_miscellaneous_finds()
Some search terms may not be easily categorized, while others may appear across multiple categories depending on contextual interpretations. This function assists in identifying the most relevant categories for your search.
Value
Database search result as list.
Examples
road_summarize_archaeology(term = "Cores")