Introducing the Archaeology Data Service

The ADS is the leading accredited digital repository for archaeology and heritage data generated by UK-based fieldwork and research. Founded in 1996, the core activity of the ADS is the long-term digital preservation of the data entrusted to our care. To do this we follow a policy of active data management and curation to ensure the integrity, reliability and accessibility in perpetuity of all our data. All resources archived with the ADS are Open Access, and delivered through our website to facilitate re-use by the heritage sector and wider community.

The logo for the Archaeology Data Service

To find out more about the organisation, the history of the ADS and our governance please visit the About pages on the ADS website.

The ADS Team

The ADS team is led by our Director, Professor Julian Richards, and Deputy Director, Dr Tim Evans, and consists of a large groups that covers:

  • Management of collections development, research, training and communications
  • Curatorial and Technical staff (otherwise known as CATs)
  • Application and Systems Development team
  • Administration and Finance team
  • The editor of our sibling publication Internet Archaeology
  • A rotating group of Interns

A full list of the ADS team can be found on the Team pages on the ADS website.

The ADS team with the ARA certfiicate

The ADS Team (Jenny O’Brien)

About the author

This guide was prepared by Dr Nicky Garland, ADS Training and Communications Manager. Nicky is an Archaeologist with a background in Iron Age and Roman Britain, archaeological theory and digital approaches to the past. He worked in developer-funded archaeology in the UK and Ireland for more than a decade before completing his doctoral research at the UCL Institute of Archaeology. He then worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Universities of Leicester, Newcastle and Durham before joining the ADS in 2022. He has experience teaching and training in both developer-led archaeology and academia and now leads the ADS’ efforts to provide training and communications to our users and key audiences.

If you have any queries about this resource please contact the ADS Helpdesk.