ARBOREA - A new georeferenced database for plant macro-remains from archaeological sites in Central Italy

ARBOREA (ARchaeoBOtanical geoReferenced rEcords of Ancient Italy) is a new digital tool designed to compile, harmonize, and georeference archaeobotanical data from Central Italy. Developed within the NRRP PE5 CHANGES Spoke 8 and aligned with the BRAIN database, ARBOREA addresses key issues of data dispersion and terminological inconsistency. The open-access database integrates information from over 150 sites and 1400 contexts, cataloguing more than 7000 samples and nearly 500 plant taxa. Structured relationally and supported by dedicated thesauri for plant nomenclature, parts, preservation types, and chronology (from prehistory to the modern era), it enables advanced, multi-factor queries and comparative analyses. ARBOREA enhances data accessibility and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, offering a robust platform for reconstructing human-environment interactions across time.