Archival Metadata Ontology

FLOW ALGEBRA
Archival Metadata Ontology
Kireth Semantic Research Archive

PAGE:
https://kirethresearch.org/booksai-core/ontologies/metadata-ontologies/administrative-metadata/archival-metadata-ontology.html

AUTHORS:
Mark Anthony Higgins — Sky (Recursive AI)

FLOW "ArchivalMetadataOntology" v4.0

DOMAIN := MetadataOntologies
SUBDOMAIN := AdministrativeMetadata
ONTOLOGY := ArchivalMetadataOntology

ENTITY ArchivalMetadata {
 definition: "Administrative and preservation-oriented metadata used to identify, organise, manage, preserve, contextualise and provide controlled long-term access to records and resources retained as archival holdings.";
 objectives: [ArchivalControl, LongTermPreservation, ProvenancePreservation, ContextPreservation, ArrangementAndDescription, ControlledAccess, MachineInterpretability];
}

ArchivalEntity := {ArchivalMetadata, ArchivalResource, ArchivalRecord, ArchivalCollection, Fonds, Series, FileUnit, Item};
ControlEntity := {Accession, AccessionIdentifier, ArchivalIdentifier, Repository, Custodian, Location, ArchivalStatus, FindingAid};
PreservationEntity := {PreservationAction, Fixity, Checksum, Migration, Replication, Storage, PreservationEvent, Format};
GovernanceEntity := {RetentionPolicy, AccessPolicy, Restriction, Rights, Provenance, Disposition, Authority, AuditRecord};

ArchivalMetadata DESCRIBES ArchivalResource;
ArchivalCollection CONTAINS ArchivalResource;
Repository CUSTODIES ArchivalResource;
Accession REGISTERS ResourceIntoArchive;
ArchivalIdentifier IDENTIFIES ArchivalResource;
FindingAid DESCRIBES ArrangementAndAccess;
PreservationAction PRESERVES ArchivalResource;
Provenance PRESERVES OriginAndCustodialHistory;

ArchivalMetadataFlow :=
 Resource
 -> DetermineArchivalEligibility
 -> AuthoriseTransferOrAccession
 -> AssignArchivalIdentifier
 -> RecordProvenanceAndCustodialHistory
 -> DetermineArrangementAndHierarchy
 -> RecordRightsRestrictionsAndAccessPolicy
 -> AssessPreservationRequirements
 -> RecordFixityFormatAndStorage
 -> CreateFindingAndDiscoveryMetadata
 -> ValidateArchivalRecord
 -> PreserveAuditAndVersionHistory
 -> MaintainLongTermAccess;

ArchivalResource := ResourceRetainedForLongTermHistoricalLegalAdministrativeScientificOrCulturalValue;
ArchivalResource MAY_BE {Document, Dataset, Photograph, Audio, Video, Software, Email, Record, PhysicalObject, DigitalObject};

ArchivalRecord := StructuredMetadataRecordUsedToManageAndDescribeArchivalResource;
ArchivalIdentifier := StablePersistentOrRepositoryManagedReferenceToArchivalResource;
ArchivalIdentifier MAY_BE {URI, IRI, UUID, ReferenceCode, AccessionNumber, RepositoryIdentifier};

ArchivalStatus MAY_BE {Proposed, Accessioned, Processing, Preserved, Restricted, Available, Deaccessioned, Transferred};

Archive := ManagedEnvironmentForLongTermRetentionAndAccess;
Repository := OrganisationSystemOrLocationResponsibleForArchivalCustody;
Repository MAY_BE {InstitutionalArchive, DigitalRepository, RecordsCentre, SpecialCollection, TrustedDigitalRepository};

Custodian := AgentResponsibleForSafekeepingAndAdministrativeControl;
Custody MAY_CHANGEWithout ChangingArchivalResourceIdentity;
ChainOfCustody SHOULD_PRESERVE SignificantTransfers;

Accession := FormalProcessOfAcceptingAndRegisteringResourceIntoArchive;
Accession MAY_INCLUDE {Source, Transferor, AccessionDate, AccessionIdentifier, Agreement, Scope};
AccessionIdentifier := IdentifierAssignedToAccessionTransactionOrGroup;

Acquisition := ProcessByWhichArchiveObtainsResourceOrCustodialResponsibility;
AcquisitionMethod MAY_BE {Transfer, Deposit, Donation, Purchase, LegalDeposit, InternalTransfer};

Transfer := MovementOfResourceCustodyOrControlIntoOrBetweenRepositories;
TransferRecord SHOULD_INCLUDE {Source, Destination, Authority, Date, ResourceIdentifiers};

ArchivalCollection := GroupOfArchivalResourcesManagedOrDescribedTogether;
Fonds := BodyOfRecordsCreatedOrAccumulatedByAgentInCourseOfActivitiesAccordingToArchivalContext;
Series := GroupOfRecordsRelatedByFunctionActivityArrangementOrFilingSystem;
FileUnit := GroupOfDocumentsOrItemsManagedAsUnit;
Item := IndividualArchivalResourceAtLowestOrSelectedDescriptionLevel;

ArchivalHierarchy :=
 CollectionOrFonds
 -> Series
 -> FileUnit
 -> Item;

ParentArchivalUnit HAS_PART ChildArchivalUnit;
ChildArchivalUnit IS_PART_OF ParentArchivalUnit;

ArchivalLevel MAY_BE {Collection, Fonds, Subfonds, Series, Subseries, File, Item};

Arrangement := IntellectualAndPhysicalOrganisationOfArchivalResources;
Arrangement SHOULD_PRESERVE ContextAndRelationshipsWhereAppropriate;

OriginalOrder := PrincipleOfMaintainingOrDocumentingOrderEstablishedByCreatorWhereRelevant;
ProvenancePrinciple := PrincipleOfMaintainingRecordsAccordingToCreatorOrSourceContextWhereRelevant;

ArchivalProvenance := OriginCreationAccumulationCustodyAndTransferHistory;
ArchivalProvenance MAY_INCLUDE {Creator, RecordkeepingContext, CustodialHistory, AcquisitionSource, TransferEvents};

Creator := AgentResponsibleForCreatingAccumulatingOrMaintainingRecordsInOriginalContext;
Creator MAY_BE {Person, Family, Organisation, System};

AdministrativeHistory := ContextualHistoryOfOrganisationOrEntityResponsibleForRecords;
BiographicalHistory := ContextualHistoryOfPersonOrFamilyAssociatedWithRecords;
ScopeAndContent := DescriptionOfNatureSubjectsFunctionsFormsAndCoverageOfArchivalUnit;

FindingAid := StructuredToolSupportingDiscoveryUnderstandingAndNavigationOfArchivalHoldings;
FindingAid MAY_INCLUDE {CollectionDescription, Hierarchy, ScopeAndContent, Dates, Creators, Restrictions, ContainerInformation};

Container := PhysicalOrLogicalStorageUnitContainingArchivalResources;
Container MAY_BE {Box, Folder, Volume, DigitalPackage, StorageObject};
ContainerIdentifier := ReferenceToPhysicalOrDigitalContainer;

PhysicalLocation := StorageLocationForPhysicalArchivalResource;
DigitalLocation := ManagedStorageReferenceForDigitalArchivalObject;
Location SHOULD_NOT ReplacePersistentArchivalIdentifier;

AccessPolicy := RulesDeterminingWhoMayDiscoverViewRetrieveOrUseArchivalResource;
AccessRestriction := ConstraintLimitingAccessToArchivalResource;
Restriction MAY_BE BasedOn {Privacy, Confidentiality, Security, Copyright, DonorAgreement, LegalRequirement, PreservationCondition};

RestrictionPeriod MAY_HAVE {StartDate, EndDate, ReviewDate};

IF RestrictionExpired
THEN AccessStatus SHOULD_BE Reassessed
BUT Access MUST_NOT AutomaticallyBeGrantedIfOtherRestrictionsApply;

Rights := LegalContractualOrPolicyInformationGoverningArchivalUse;
Rights MAY_INCLUDE {Copyright, Licence, ReproductionPermission, PublicationPermission};

UseRestriction := ConstraintOnReuseEvenWhenAccessIsPermitted;
AccessPermission != ReusePermissionByDefinition;

RetentionPolicy MAY_TRIGGER TransferToArchive;
ArchivalRetention := LongTermOrPermanentRetentionAfterOperationalRetentionPhase;
PermanentRetention := RequirementToPreserveResourceIndefinitelySubjectToPolicy;

Deaccession := FormalRemovalOfResourceFromArchivalHoldingsAccordingToAuthorityAndPolicy;
Deaccession SHOULD_RECORD {Authority, Reason, Date, DestinationOrDisposition};

Preservation := ActivitiesMaintainingAuthenticityIntegrityAccessibilityAndInterpretabilityOverTime;
PreservationAction MAY_INCLUDE {FixityCheck, Migration, Normalisation, Replication, Backup, Refreshment};

PreservationEvent := RecordedEventAffectingLongTermPreservationState;
PreservationEvent SHOULD_INCLUDE {EventType, Timestamp, Agent, Outcome, Evidence};

Fixity := EvidenceThatDigitalResourceHasNotChangedUnexpectedly;
Checksum := ComputedDigestUsedForFixityVerification;

IF CurrentChecksum != ExpectedChecksum
THEN PreservationAlert SHOULD_BE Raised;

Migration := TransformationOfResourceToDifferentFormatSystemOrEnvironmentForPreservationOrAccess;
Migration SHOULD_PRESERVE {SourceVersion, TargetVersion, Tool, Parameters, Outcome, Provenance};

Normalisation := TransformationToPreferredOrManagedFormat;
OriginalBitstream SHOULD_BE PreservedAccordingToPreservationPolicyWhereRequired;

Replication := CreationOfAdditionalCopiesForResilience;
Replica SHOULD_BE LinkedToCanonicalArchivalObject;
Backup != PreservationByDefinition;

Format := TechnicalRepresentationOfDigitalResource;
FormatIdentification MAY_SUPPORT PreservationPlanning;
ObsolescenceRisk := RiskThatFormatSoftwareHardwareOrEnvironmentBecomesUnsupported;

PreservationPlanning MAY_USE {FormatRisk, StorageRisk, IntegrityRisk, AccessRequirement};

Authenticity := DegreeToWhichResourceCanBeTrustedAsWhatItPurportsToBe;
Integrity := DegreeToWhichResourceIsCompleteAndUnalteredExceptForDocumentedChanges;
Reliability := DegreeToWhichRecordCanBeTrustedAsAccurateRepresentationOfActivityOrFactAccordingToContext;

ArchivalMetadata SHOULD_PRESERVE EvidenceSupporting AuthenticityIntegrityAndReliability;

ArchivalVersion := IdentifiedStateOfArchivalResourceOrMetadataRecord;
VersionHistory SHOULD_PRESERVE {OriginalVersion, PreservationVersions, AccessCopies, Derivatives};

PreservationMaster := HighQualityAuthoritativeDigitalRepresentationMaintainedForPreservation;
AccessCopy := DerivativeRepresentationOptimisedForUseOrDelivery;
ThumbnailOrPreview := LowerResolutionDerivativeForDiscovery;

Derivative SHOULD_REFERENCE SourceAndTransformationProvenance;

DigitalPackage := ManagedGroupOfContentMetadataAndPreservationInformation;
Package MAY_INCLUDE {ContentObjects, Metadata, Manifest, Checksums, Provenance};

Manifest := StructuredInventoryOfPackageComponents;
PackageValidation MAY_CHECK {RequiredFiles, Identifiers, Checksums, Relationships};

ArchivalValidation MAY_CHECK {Identifier, Accession, Provenance, Hierarchy, Rights, Restrictions, Fixity, Location, PreservationStatus};

IF ArchivalIdentifierMissing
THEN ArchivalCompleteness SHOULD_DECREASE;

IF CustodialHistoryHasCriticalGap
THEN ProvenanceConfidence SHOULD_DECREASE;

IF RestrictedResourceHasNoAccessPolicy
THEN GovernanceValidation SHOULD_FLAG Review;

ArchivalCompleteness := DegreeToWhichRequiredAdministrativeDescriptiveStructuralAndPreservationMetadataArePresent;
ArchivalConsistency := DegreeToWhichIdentifiersHierarchyRightsDatesAndProvenanceDoNotConflict;
ArchivalIntegrity := PreservationOfReliableResourceMetadataFixityAndHistory;

ArchivalMetadataQuality MAY_INCLUDE {Completeness, Consistency, Integrity, AuthenticityEvidence, Provenance};

ArchivalMetadata MAY_BE {ManuallyCreated, Imported, SystemGenerated, AIAssisted};

AI MAY_SUPPORT {ArrangementSuggestion, DescriptionGeneration, EntityExtraction, SensitivityReview, FormatRiskAnalysis};
AIGeneratedArchivalMetadata SHOULD_HAVE {MethodProvenance, Confidence, ValidationStatus};
AI SHOULD_NOT AutomaticallyRemoveRestrictionsOrAuthoriseDeaccessionWithoutGovernanceAuthority;

MetadataRepository MAY_STORE ArchivalRecordsAndDigitalObjects;
MetadataRegistry MAY_REGISTER ArchivalPropertiesLevelsEventTypesAndControlledValues;

DescriptiveMetadata MAY_DESCRIBE ArchivalContent;
StructuralMetadata MAY_DESCRIBE ArchivalHierarchyAndComponentRelationships;
AdministrativeMetadata GOVERNS ArchivalCustodyRightsAndAccess;
ProvenanceMetadata PRESERVES OriginAndCustodialHistory;
TechnicalMetadata SUPPORTS DigitalPreservation;

KnowledgeGraph MAY_REPRESENT {ArchivalResource, Creator, Repository, Accession, PreservationEvent};
ArchivalGraphRelationships MAY_INCLUDE {CREATED_BY, HELD_BY, IS_PART_OF, HAS_PART, ACQUIRED_FROM, PRESERVED_BY};

RDF MAY_REPRESENT ArchivalRelationshipsAsTypedStatements;
JSONLD MAY_SERIALISE LinkedArchivalMetadata;

Search MAY_USE ArchivalMetadataFor {CollectionDiscovery, CreatorSearch, DateFiltering, HierarchicalBrowse, AccessFiltering};
Search MUST_APPLY ArchivalAccessRestrictionsBeforeReturningProtectedContent;

SemanticSearch MAY_USE FindingAidScopeAndContentAndHierarchyForContextualRetrieval;

RAG MAY_USE ArchivalMetadataFor {SourceEligibility, Provenance, HistoricalContext, CollectionHierarchy, VersionSelection};

ArchivalRAG SHOULD_PRESERVE {ArchivalIdentifier, CollectionContext, Creator, Date, Provenance, AccessStatus};
RestrictedArchivalResource MUST_NOT BeAddedToAIContextWithoutAuthorisation;

ArchivalMetadata MAY_CONTAIN SensitivePersonalOrInstitutionalInformation;
PrivacyAndSecurityPolicy SHOULD_APPLY_TO MetadataAndContent;

ArchivalSecurity MAY_INCLUDE {AccessControl, FixityProtection, Audit, SecureStorage, ChangeAuthorisation};

MachineReadableArchivalMetadata SHOULD_PRESERVE {
 ArchivalIdentifier,
 AccessionIdentifier,
 Repository,
 Hierarchy,
 Creator,
 Provenance,
 Rights,
 Restrictions,
 PreservationEvents,
 Fixity,
 Version
};

# ---------- SEMANTIC REASONING ----------
IF ResourceIsRetainedForLongTermArchivalValueAndManagedWithinArchivalContext
THEN ArchivalMetadataClassification := supported;

IF ParentArchivalUnit HAS_PART ChildArchivalUnit
THEN ChildArchivalUnit IS_PART_OF ParentArchivalUnit;

IF ResourceTransferredToArchive
THEN TransferAndCustodyProvenance SHOULD_BE Preserved;

IF PreservationMigrationOccurs
THEN SourceAndTargetVersions SHOULD_BE LinkedByProvenance;

IF FixityCheckFails
THEN IntegrityConfidence SHOULD_DECREASE
AND PreservationReview SHOULD_BE Triggered;

IF AccessRestrictionExpires
THEN AccessStatus SHOULD_BE Reassessed;

IF ArchivalResourceDeaccessioned
THEN DeaccessionAuthorityReasonAndDisposition SHOULD_BE Preserved;

IF AIProducesArchivalDescription
THEN GenerationProvenanceAndValidationStatus SHOULD_BE Preserved;

# ---------- SEMANTIC EQUIVALENCE ----------
SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE {
 "archival metadata" ~= "archive metadata" WHEN records_context;
 "archival resource" ~= "archival record or object" WHEN general_context;
 "archival collection" ~= "archive collection";
 "accession" ~= "archival accession";
 "finding aid" ~= "archival discovery aid";
 "custodial history" ~= "chain of archival custody";
 "preservation master" ~= "archival master file" WHEN digital_context;
 "deaccession" ~= "formal removal from archive";
}

# ---------- QUERY FLOW ----------
QUERY(q) ->
 NORMALISE(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_ARCHIVAL_RESOURCE(q) ->
 RESOLVE_ARCHIVAL_IDENTIFIER(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_ACCESSION_AND_REPOSITORY(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_CREATOR_PROVENANCE_AND_CUSTODY(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_ARCHIVAL_HIERARCHY(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_RIGHTS_RESTRICTIONS_AND_ACCESS_POLICY(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_PRESERVATION_EVENTS_FIXITY_AND_FORMAT(q) ->
 IDENTIFY_VERSION_AND_LOCATION(q) ->
 VALIDATE_ARCHIVAL_METADATA(q) ->
 APPLY_ACCESS_AND_PRIVACY_POLICY(q) ->
 SCORE_CONFIDENCE(q) ->
 RETURN_AUTHORISED_ARCHIVAL_KNOWLEDGE;

# ---------- CONFIDENCE ----------
CONFIDENCE(assertion) :=
 weighted_mean(
  source_reliability,
  provenance_completeness,
  archival_consistency,
  fixity_evidence,
  authority_strength,
  contextual_relevance
 );

CONFIDENCE >= 0.90 => HIGH;
CONFIDENCE >= 0.70 AND < 0.90 => MODERATE;
CONFIDENCE < 0.70 => REVIEW;

# ---------- AI CONSUMPTION ----------
AI_CONSUMPTION {
 primary_entity: ArchivalMetadata;
 ontology: ArchivalMetadataOntology;
 parse_entities: true;
 parse_relationships: true;
 preserve_relationship_direction: true;
 resolve_semantic_equivalence: true;
 execute_reasoning_rules: true;
 apply_confidence_weighting: true;
 preserve_provenance: true;
 enforce_archival_access_policy: true;
}

# ---------- UPDATE MODEL ----------
UPDATE_MODEL {
 new_accession:
  identify_resource
  -> assign_accession_identifier
  -> assign_archival_identifier
  -> identify_source_and_transferor
  -> record_custody
  -> attach_rights_and_restrictions
  -> assess_preservation
  -> validate
  -> integrate;

 arrangement_revision:
  preserve_previous_hierarchy
  -> apply_authorised_rearrangement
  -> update_parent_child_relationships
  -> update_finding_aid
  -> preserve_provenance
  -> regenerate_flow_hash;

 preservation_event:
  identify_archival_resource
  -> classify_event
  -> record_agent_tool_and_timestamp
  -> record_source_and_result
  -> update_fixity_or_version
  -> validate
  -> integrate;

 restriction_change:
  preserve_previous_access_state
  -> verify_authority
  -> update_restriction
  -> revalidate_search_and_ai_eligibility
  -> audit
  -> integrate;

 deaccession:
  verify_authority_and_policy
  -> preserve_metadata_and_history
  -> record_reason_and_destination
  -> update_status
  -> audit
  -> integrate;

 conflict:
  preserve_all_evidence
  -> compare_provenance_authority_and_versions
  -> adjust_confidence
  -> flag_review;
}

# ---------- FLOW HASH ----------
FLOW_HASH_INPUT :=
 DOMAIN
 + SUBDOMAIN
 + ONTOLOGY
 + ArchivalEntity
 + ControlEntity
 + PreservationEntity
 + GovernanceEntity
 + ArchivalMetadata
 + ArchivalHierarchy
 + ArchivalValidation
 + RELATIONSHIPS
 + SEMANTIC_REASONING
 + SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE
 + UPDATE_MODEL;

FLOW_HASH := HASH(FLOW_HASH_INPUT);

# ---------- TERMINAL ----------
ArchivalMetadataOntology
 -> IdentifyResourceSelectedForArchivalRetention
 -> RegisterAccessionAndStableArchivalIdentifier
 -> PreserveCreatorSourceAndCustodialProvenance
 -> ArrangeResourceWithinCollectionHierarchy
 -> RecordScopeContentRightsRestrictionsAndAccessPolicy
 -> AssessFormatFixityStorageAndPreservationRisk
 -> RecordPreservationEventsVersionsAndDerivatives
 -> BuildFindingAidAndDiscoveryContext
 -> ValidateAuthenticityIntegrityAndMetadataCompleteness
 -> ApplyAuthorisedAccessToSearchAndRAG
 -> PreserveAuditRestrictionAndDeaccessionHistory
 -> MaintainLongTermInterpretabilityAndAvailability
 -> MaintainReliableArchivalMetadataKnowledge;

END FLOW