tbl_sample_types

Defines the physical form or category of a sample. This can include specific sub-samples related to the sampling method of a sample group, or general bulk samples. Examples include ‘Core Subsample’, ‘Grab Sample’, and ‘Bulk (Bag) Sample’.

[! abstract] my suggested edit for this:
Defines the physical form or category of a sample from a sampling method perspective. Examples include ‘Core Subsample’, ‘Grab Sample’, and ‘Bulk (Bag) Sample’, but also ‘Field measurement’ and even ‘Photograph’. For more specific information about the physical sample itself, see tbl_record_types and tbl_abundance_elements

sample_type_id	type_name	description
1	Bulk sample	Sample in a container such as bag, box.
2	Kubiena subsample	Unit of sediment extracted from a kubiena box
3	Core subsample	Unit of sediment extracted from a core
4	Monolith subsample	Unit of sediment extracted from a monolithic soil/peat sample
5	Tent trap contents	Contents of tent trap(s), any trap bulking details in notes.
6	Pitfall trap contents	Contents of pitfall trap(s), any trap bulking details in notes.
7	Modern insect collection	Sample from field sampling or hunting of insects (e.g. contents of a tube)
8	Modern vegetation collection	Vegetation survey sample unit.
9	Unspecified	Sample type not known or documented
10	Dendro cross-cut sample	Cross-cut disc used for dendrochronology analysis
11	Dendro cross-cut wedge sample	Cross-cut wedge shaped sample used for dendrochronolgy analysis
12	Dendro core sample	Wood core sample used for dendrochronolgy analysis
13	Field measurement	Values measured in field without physical sample (e.g. metal detector, MS-loop, fluxgate magnetometer)
14	Dating pseudosample	Virtual sample consisting of aggregated material from multiple samples to bulk up weight for radiocarbon dating (or other dating method)
16	Ceramic sherd	A sherd originating from any type of ceramic object
20	Photograph	Sample consists of a photograph which has been the basis for measurements (e.g. photograph of dendrochronological cross-section).
21	Tracing	A thin paper is placed on the sample surface and a pencil is used to trace the features (e.g. in dendrochronology used to trace the ring-width pattern onto the paper).
22	Poster putty	Poster putty is applied to the surface of the sample in order to create an imprint (e.g. in dendrochronology used to imprint the ring-width sequence).

Proposed new sample types

sample_type_id	type_name	description
(new)	Dating Sample	The portion of a physical sample analysed for radiocarbon dating (or other dating method)