The Heritage Sample Register: Implementing IGSN and FAIR Digital Objects for Cultural Heritage
Physical samples are foundational evidence in heritage science but often lack persistent links to digital research records. The Heritage Sample Register provides a technical preview of a registry designed for sample level identification. It implements the International Generic Sample Number (IGSN) to provide physical specimens with globally unique identifiers. Through the IGSN and DataCite partnership, these samples are integrated into the DOI ecosystem and discoverable via DataCite Commons. The technical architecture follows FAIR Digital Object principles, utilising Cordra as a reference repository with metadata validated through JSON Schemas. Parallel to this infrastructure, the initiative is developing a sustainable community model to support the register as a permanent service. This effort aims to create a stable identification layer that connects physical archives with the broader digital research ecosystem. By the time of this conference, the pilot service will be operational, demonstrating the practical application of persistent identifiers for heterogeneous heritage materials.