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EnglishHow to Search and Access Data on the Archaeology Data Service
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The Archaeology Data Service (ADS) at archaeologydataservice.ac.uk is a digital repository for archaeology and heritage, and you can search its collections through the Search the database feature on the homepage. According to the site, this lets you search "freely available data rich project collections, reports, publications and metadata records." That means you can browse and access the material without a stated fee or login requirement, based on the information provided on the site.
What you can find
The ADS describes itself as supporting access, innovation, and research in archaeology and heritage. Its searchable content includes:
- Project collections
- Reports
- Publications
- Metadata records
The site describes these as "freely available" and "data rich," so the search is the main route for locating material rather than browsing a single fixed catalogue.
How to search and access data
- Go to archaeologydataservice.ac.uk.
- Use the Search the database feature on the homepage.
- Enter terms related to the project, site, period, or subject you need.
- Open the matching collection, report, publication, or metadata record from the results.
The expected result is a set of records you can review and access directly. The site does not describe a separate paid tier for searching, so treat the search as the primary access point.
What is available beyond search
The homepage also highlights other parts of the service:
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Deposit data with ADS | A route for depositing data so it is "professionally curated in the long term and easily accessible for future reuse" |
| Featured Collection | A highlighted archive, such as the Carlisle Northern Development Route excavations |
| Help & guidance | Instructions for depositors on preparing data, compiling metadata, and depositing |
| News & events | Updates on collections, training, and blog posts |
| Internet Archaeology | An open access, international, peer-reviewed digital journal for archaeology |
The Featured Collection example shows the kind of material you may encounter: digital images from fieldwork, including photographs of excavations and excavated remains, overhead views, panoramas, aerial photographs, and primary records.
Common points to check
- The site says its collections are freely available, but it does not state that every item is free of login or access conditions. Check each record as you open it.
- If you are depositing rather than searching, start with Instructions for Depositors under Help & guidance.
- The site mentions upgrade in its pricing signals, but no pricing links or payment platforms are provided, so do not assume a paid plan is required for searching.
When this approach fits
Use the ADS search when you need archaeological project collections, reports, publications, or metadata records and want a repository-based starting point. If you need to deposit data, use the deposit and guidance sections instead. If you want peer-reviewed digital archaeology research, the Internet Archaeology journal linked from the site is the relevant entry point.