DANS is an institute focused on the permanent preservation and access of scientific research data, particularly in Dutch archaeology. Founded in 2005, it offers a platform for archiving and sharing valuable archaeological datasets, including reports and excavation archives, while collaborating on projects to enhance data accessibility and preservation practices. Future initiatives aim to integrate existing archaeological research infrastructures to support e-infrastructures as a key part of archaeological methodologies.

1. DANS is an institute of KNAW and NWO
Data Archiving and Networked Services
The e-depot for Dutch Archaeology
Archiving and publication of archaeological data
Hella Hollander
November 2013

2. Data Archiving and Networked Services
• Established in 2005
• Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of
Arts and Sciences (KNAW)
• Co-founded by the Netherlands Organization
for Scientific Research (NWO)
• Objective: permanent preservation of, and
enabling access to scientific research data
• Scientific digital strategy
E-Depot voor de Nederlandse Archeologie
(E-Depot for the Dutch Archaeology)

3. https://easy.dans.knaw.nl
•17.000 reports
•3.000 excavation archives
•1,5 million files photos, GIS, data-tables and drawings
2013:

4. Digital Collaboratory for Cultural Dendrochronology (DCCD)
• Trees form ring growth patterns
• Build ‘calendars’ from
wood samples
• Date wood samples by matching
against calendars

5. Deposit Dataset
Title
Alternative Title
Creator
Contributor
Date created
Rights holder
Publisher
Import Archis metadata

6. Rights
Access
Remarks
Access rights
Date available
Open access
Unrestricted access for all registered EASY users
Restricted: archaeology group
Access restricted for registered group members
Restricted: request permission
Registered users after depositor permission is granted
Other access
Data accessible in another way or elsewhere

7. Upload files
Browse Upload

8. 2004-2006
• Pilot project EDNA: Universities & DANS-predecessor
NIWI
=>Raising awareness and concern
for archaeological data preservation,
user enquiry
=>Inventory of datasets, archiving
Selection

9. 2005-2009
• Subsidies Gratama foundation / Leiden University
=>Scanning project ‘grey’ literature
• Subsidy NWO
=>Retrospective archiving of datasets
• Embedding in DANS EASY
• National regulation in KNA
Quality Norm Archaeology

10. 2009-present:
• NWO-subsidised Odyssee-project (2009-2010)
=>Project database for undeveloped research
• Projects improving accessibility
National: KICH, Archis
International: NARCIS, CARARE,
and ARIADNE
• Ongoing archiving and publication
of datasets
• Sharing of good practices: Long-term
preservation, preferred formats, Data Seal of
approval, Data organisation, Data dissemination

11. Future steps
• ARIADNE will bring together and integrate existing
archaeological research data infrastructures
• Researchers will be able to use the various distributed datasets
and new and powerful technologies
• This will allow for e-infrastructures to serve as an integral
component of the archaeological research methodology

12. Data Archiving and Networked Services
Questions?
https://easy.dans.knaw.nl