Introduction to Aggregator: Geospatial Data Management and Collaboration Platform for Archaeology

Aggregator is a comprehensive Docker-based web application platform designed specifically for archaeological research. It integrates Django REST API, map tile services, document collaboration, and automated backup functions to solve the inefficiency problem caused by scattered traditional archaeological tools.

Source Information:

• Original Author/Maintainer: zibayes
• Source Platform: GitHub
• Release Time: June 5, 2026
• Original Link: https://github.com/zibayes/Aggregator

Project Background and Positioning

In archaeological research, researchers often face the pain point of scattered management of geospatial data and literature materials, leading to low efficiency due to independent tools. Aggregator aims to integrate geospatial data visualization, document management, and team collaboration into one platform. It adopts a Docker Compose containerized architecture, making it easy for individuals or teams to quickly set up research infrastructure.

Core Architecture and Tech Stack

Aggregator uses a modular service architecture, with main components including:

• Backend: Django REST API, providing data management and business logic;
• Map Services: tileserver-gl (vector tiles, supporting zoom/style customization) + nginx-proxy (reverse proxy cache for raster tiles);
• Document Collaboration: Collabora Online supports multi-person real-time editing of Office documents;
• File Management: KodExplorer web interface for material management, Docker volume mapping ensures data persistence;
• Data Layer: PostgreSQL (main database, WAL archiving + automatic backup) + Redis (cache/message queue).

Deployment and Operations Practice

• Quick Startup: After cloning the repository, execute the docker-compose command to complete initialization in 2-3 minutes;
• Resource Requirements: 4GB of memory is recommended (8GB is better), with at least 10GB of disk space;
• Data Security: The database is automatically backed up to the local backups directory at 3 AM every day, and WAL archiving supports point-in-time recovery.

Application Scenarios and Value

1. Archaeological Excavation Site Management: Record coordinates of excavation units/artifacts via mobile devices, upload in real-time, and overlay high-resolution images to analyze relics;
2. Cross-Region Collaboration: Multi-institution/international teams edit reports in real-time to improve collaboration efficiency;
3. Data Preservation and Sharing: PostgreSQL + Docker volumes ensure long-term storage, and data can be easily exported for publication or sharing.

Technical Highlights and Areas for Improvement

Highlights:

• Reasonable split of microservices with clear responsibilities;
• Native support for geospatial data (efficient visualization via vector tiles);
• Production-level configurations (automatic backup, health checks, etc.) are ready out of the box.

Areas for Improvement:

• Most documents are in Russian, so internationalization needs to be strengthened;
• Frontend interface and mobile adaptation can be optimized;
• Performance for ultra-large datasets needs to be improved.

Summary and Insights

Aggregator integrates archaeological tools through modern web technologies, revolutionizing the way of work and allowing researchers to focus on excavation and analysis rather than data management. For technical developers, it demonstrates the value of combining domain knowledge with engineering practice; it also provides a reference for the informatization construction of humanities and social sciences.