Who can benefit?¶
The Heritage Samples Registry is intended for institutions and researchers working with physical samples in heritage science. Its primary function is to provide persistent identifiers (IGSNs) that allow these samples to be consistently cited, discovered, and linked to related research outputs.
Heritage science institutions¶
Museums, galleries, conservation laboratories, archaeological services, and heritage research centres can benefit from assigning IGSNs to the samples they hold. Persistent identifiers support long-term traceability of samples, help connect legacy and new documentation, and make it easier to reference specific samples across projects and publications.
Researchers and conservators¶
Researchers, conservation scientists, and analysts who create, process, or study samples can use IGSNs to refer unambiguously to the specific material they have examined. This supports clearer documentation of research workflows and enables more precise referencing of samples in reports, datasets, and publications.
Collection and data managers¶
Collection managers and data specialists can use the Registry to complement existing catalogues and laboratory information systems. The Registry does not replace local documentation but provides a stable external identifier that can link institutional records to wider research infrastructure.
Contributors across the DOI and PID ecosystem¶
Because IGSNs are implemented as DOIs within the wider persistent identifier infrastructure, the benefits extend beyond individual institutions. Persistent identification of samples allows the contributions of those involved in sampling, preparation, and analysis to be more clearly attributed and connected to related outputs. This supports a more complete representation of the research process, alongside traditional publication-based citation.
In this way, the Registry supports a broad community of heritage science practitioners while remaining compatible with established DOI-based research infrastructure.
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