Survey on standards for archaeological site and monument data in Germany: Analysis and future outlook

Commissioned by Task Area 4 of NFDI4Objects, this survey systematically assesses, for the first time, the current state of standards and data structures in the inventorying of historic monuments and archaeological sites in Germany. Between March and April 2025, state heritage authorities and comparable institutions from 15 federal states were surveyed on data management, metadata description, data exchange, legal implications, publication practices and citizen science. The results reveal considerable heterogeneity and, as yet, only a low level of compliance with standards; at the same time, however, there is a broad willingness to contribute to joint solutions, provided that existing systems are integrated rather than replaced. On this basis, the NFDI4Objects Community Cluster ‘Monuments, Measures and Protected Areas’ has derived specific work assignments for the exchange and harmonisation of data.