Despite remarkable progress in digital linguistics, extensive databases of geographical language distributions are missing. This hampers both studies on language spatiality and public outreach of language diversity. We present best practices for creating and sharing digital spatial language data by collecting and harmonizing Uralic language distributions as case study. Language distribution studies have utilized various methodologies, and the results are often available as printed maps or written descriptions. In order to analyze language spatiality, the information must be digitized into geospatial data, which contains location, time and other parameters. When compiled and harmonized, this data can be used to study changes in languages’ distribution, and combined with, for example, population and environmental data. We also utilized the knowledge of language experts to adjust previous and new information of language distributions into state-of-the-art maps. The extensive database, including the distribution datasets and detailed map visualizations of the Uralic languages are introduced alongside this article, and they are freely available.

The role of open spatial data is growing in human-history research. Spatiality can be utilized to bring together and seamlessly examine data describing multiple aspects of human beings and their environment. Web-based spatial data platforms can create equal opportunities to view and access these data. In this paper, we aim at advancing the development of user-friendly spatial data platforms for multidisciplinary research. We conceptualize the building process of such a platform by systematically reviewing a diverse sample of historical spatial data platforms and by piloting a user-centered design process of a multidisciplinary spatial data platform. We outline (1) the expertise needed in organizing multidisciplinary spatial data sharing, (2) data types that platforms should be able to handle, (3) the most useful platform functionalities, and (4) the design process itself. We recommend that the initiative and subject expertise should come from the end-users, i.e., scholars of human history, and all key end-user types should be involved in the design process. We also highlight the importance of geographic expertise in the process, an important link between subject, spatial and technical viewpoints, for reaching a common understanding and common terminology. Based on the analyses, we identify key development goals for spatial data platforms, including full layer management functionalities. Moreover, we identify the main roles in the user-centered design process, main user types and suggest good practices including a multimodal design workshop.

Asher and Moseley’s Atlas of the World’s Languages illustrates the past and present spatial distribution of human languages across more than 100 maps. While the Atlas is an impressive resource, its data are not readily accessible for research. Language areas are presented as printed maps and referenced by name, rather than as digital spatial objects linked to a standardised language catalogue. To address these limitations, we present a digital dataset derived from the Atlas. We georeferenced the map images, digitised the language polygons in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and linked each polygon to a Glottocode — a unique identifier for languages and language varieties. Following the FAIR principles, we provide the data as a faithful digital replication of the Atlas (comprising 6,992 distinct language areas) and in enriched, aggregated versions for contemporary and traditional languages. The datasets capture the spatial distribution of human languages as depicted in the Atlas, with each polygon linked to an unambiguous identifier, enabling computational analyses of the origins, distribution, and drivers of global linguistic diversity.

This paper presents the Archaeological Artefact Database of Finland (AADA) of prehistoric (covering period of almost 11,000 years) artefacts in Finland that are categorised by type and are accompanied with photos of the artefacts. The database is intended to contain all typologically classifiable prehistoric artefacts found in Finland and held in Finnish collections. This dataset provides spatio-temporal context for artefacts across different time periods and regions, as it includes approximately 38,000 single artefacts and approximately 10,000 pottery type identifications from the Early Mesolithic to the end of the Iron Age in Finland (c. 8900 calBC - 1300/1500 calAD). In addition, the artefacts are given period-based (subperiod) dating to allow their chronological affiliation. To facilitate data usage, we also offer an R-script to replicate the data visualisation provided in this paper and a Python script to merge the artefact information to the pictures. We further work towards an interactive user interface for data download and visualization.