Project Overview:
Takin.solutions was engaged by the Centre for Early Sapiens Behavior (SFF SapienCE) at the University of Bergen to redevelop and streamline their FileMaker excavation database. The project aimed to simplify the existing system, reduce complexity, and increase field usability — consolidating excavation recording into a single-page workflow centred on stratigraphic context while improving data export and iPad compatibility.
Scope of Work:
- Database Simplification: Consolidation of the excavation recording interface into a single-page layout, eliminating unnecessary tabs and ensuring all context-related data — stratigraphic information, finds, samples, and media — is accessible from one view.
- Data Structure Redesign: Creation of separate, dedicated tables for plotted and non-plotted finds, photos and photogrammetry, samples, and media, all linked to stratigraphic spatial information (Site, Quadrant, Unit) while remaining flexible for data entry where stratigraphic context is unavailable.
- Interface Improvements: Replacement of checkboxes with drop-down menus, integration of total station spatial data into the plotted-finds table, addition of Polycam screenshot support in the media table, and implementation of a checklist-based recording workflow with automation where possible.
- Export and Reporting: Development of easy export functionality in useable formats (Excel and PDF) for field reports, alongside fixes to the general bag summary and support for recording multiple sediment buckets per excavation context.
- Post-Deployment Support: Three months of ongoing monthly support targeting small fixes identified during field testing.
Impact:
The redeveloped database provides the SapienCE team with a streamlined, field-ready excavation recording system that reduces data entry complexity, improves spatial data integration, and ensures consistent documentation workflows across excavation sites in South Africa and beyond.
