Geoportal technology: a customizable framework for managing and publishing georeferenced research objects

The Geoportal technology is an open-source, highly customizable framework designed for the management and publication of georeferenced research objects—complex digital entities composed of files, metadata, and spatiotemporal attributes. Built on the D4Science infrastructure, Geoportal supports user-defined data models and workflows, enabling adaptation to diverse scientific domains and access policies. It integrates Web-GIS technologies and adheres to international standards such as OGC’s WMS and WFS, ensuring interoperability and scalability. The platform features two main interfaces: a Data-Entry Interface for moderated content creation and a Data-Viewer Interface for public access via interactive maps and timelines. An API extends its capabilities for automated data retrieval and advanced queries. A key case study, the Dataset for the National Geoportal for Archaeology (D4GNA), developed for the Italian Ministry of Culture, demonstrates Geoportal’s effectiveness in managing archaeological data. With over 1,150 investigations cataloged, D4GNA exemplifies the platform’s potential in supporting FAIR principles and fostering open, collaborative research across disciplines such as archaeology, environmental science, and climate studies.