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Archaeology is a finite cultural heritage resource. While

preservation in situ is the policy of the Dublin City

Development Plan (H34), archaeological excavation cannot

always be avoided in a dynamic urban context. If we accept

preservation by record as an alternative to preservation in

situ, the quality and long-term management of the

archaeological record becomes of paramount importance.

Ruth Johnson PhD FSA MIAI, Dublin City Archaeologist

Dublin City Council (DCC) is pleased toannounce the establishment of the DublinCity Archaeological Archive (DCAA), thefirst dedicated archaeological archive inIreland. This will be managed by DublinCity Library and Archive (DCLA) at itsfacility on Pearse Street. The remit of thearchive is to preserve records arising fromarchaeological investigations conducted in

Dublin city by archaeologists working inthe private sector. As a guideline to archae-ologists donating records to the repository,Dublin City Council, in association withDublin City Library and Archive, has com-piled the ‘Dublin City ArchaeologicalArchive Guidelines’, a handbook coveringall essential elements of the donationprocess.

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IntroductionRéamhrá

Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2

The purpose of archaeology is to achieve, for the benefit of society,an understanding of the human past through the study and

interpretation of its material remains. Therefore, at the core ofarchaeology lies the long-term preservation of the past for present

and future benefit: this preservation occurs in situ or as anarchive of … records in an archive repository.

SOCIETY OF MUSEUM ARCHAEOLOGISTS (BRITAIN) 1995

The urgent need for an archive of this typehas been recognised by the archaeologicalprofession in Archaeology 2020. It is alsoan objective of the Dublin CityDevelopment Plan 2005-2011 (H21) tocompile an archaeological archive forpublic use in Dublin. The obligation toaccession material to the archive will be astandard archaeological condition of plan-ning permission in Dublin city.

Through the Dublin City Heritage Plan2006, co-funded by the Heritage Council,Margaret Gowen & Company Ltd. wascommissioned to undertake a study, enti-tled ‘Pilot Study on the Development ofan Archaeological Excavation Archive forDublin City’ (O’Donovan, Becker &Somerville, 2007). The project estab-lished the guidelines for depositingarchaeological records to the Dublin CityArchaeological Archive.

A case study was conducted in which thearchives of several archaeological excava-tions were prepared with the advice of aqualified archivist for accession to DCLA.Through this process, the standard ofarchives acceptable for submission, andcompatible with the requirements ofarchaeological archives, was established.

A review of national and internationalpractice regarding archiving and curationof archaeological excavation archives iden-

tifed a best practice strategy with regard tothe treatment of archaeological sitearchives. The results of this study wereintegrated into the standard proposed forDublin city. The draft document of theBritish Archaeological Archives Forum,which set out to define standards for thearchiving of archaeological sites recordedin similar legislative and organisationalcircumstances, was also examined.

Consultation was undertaken with keystakeholders, notably the statutoryauthorities for archaeology, archaeologicalexcavation directors, archivists andarchaeological researchers. The develop-ment of the archive has had the support ofa steering group comprising the DublinCity Libraries & Archives; theArchaeology and Heritage sections ofDublin City Council; the HeritageCouncil; the Department of theEnvironment, Heritage and LocalGovernment; the National Museum ofIreland; the National Archives and theInstitute of Archaeologists of Ireland.

Archaeologists responsible for archivesgenerated from past and future excava-tions in Dublin city should present thesearchives to DCLA. Archives form anessential element of the heritage of Dublincity and should be held in a secure andpublicly accessible facility.

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All archaeological projects must result in astable, ordered, accessible archive. All

archaeological practitioners must acknowledgeand accept their responsibility in this regard. All

documents that set out requirements orstandards for archaeological work should reflect

this principle.ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES FORUM, 2006

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The aim of this publication is threefold:

� to promote the safekeeping of archae-ological archives in Dublin city

� to provide a set of guidelines forarchaeologists donating material toDublin City Library and Archive(DCLA)

� to facilitate public access to archivalmaterial for research purposes.

The criteria for submission of sitearchives to DCLA concur with interna-tional best practice and the Society ofArchivists, Irish Section Standards(1997).

Under Dublin City Council (DCC) plan-ning conditions, the accession of archaeo-logical archives is now mandatory. DCCrecognises that the long-term preserva-tion and accessibility of excavation

archives is an essential prerequisite of itsheritage policy.

Archaeological sites and deposits in Dublinhold the material remains of an enormouscomplex of cultural and historical evidencewhich provides evocative and tangible evi-dence of the past. The record created bythe excavation of sites and deposits pro-vides the basis for important historical andcultural narratives about Dublin’s past, itscitizens and their lives.

In accordance with the legal requirementsof the Planning and Development Acts(2000), the National Monuments Acts(1930-2004) and the Amendment Acts,the city of Dublin has seen an unprece-dented number of archaeological excava-tions and development-led investigations.Excavations are generally undertaken inthe context of planning and development.

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Church of St Michael le Pole, Dublin 8 (Excavation). Courtesy of MGL.

BackgroundCúlra

The aim is to preserve by record archaeo-logical sites and features which cannot bepreserved in situ.

Much of the excavation conducted in thepast twenty-five years has been undertak-en by commercial sector archaeologists.Findings have produced vast quantities ofprimary records leading to the submissionof unpublished, technical reports to thePlanning Authority, the NationalMonuments Section (Department of theEnvironment, Heritage and LocalGovernment) and the National Museum ofIreland. The current scale of excavation(linked to the scale and pace of develop-ment) has resulted in a failure to ade-quately disseminate and publish theresults of large numbers of archives andtechnical reports.

Although official policy on artefacts fromexcavations countrywide states that sub-mission to the National Museum isrequired, primary paper archives haveheretofore been stored by individual

licensed excavation directors, or by thearchaeological consultancies commis-sioned to undertake specific investiga-tions. Archives have also been held by thestate, semi-state or academic bodiesresponsible for commissioning or con-ducting excavations. As a consequence ofmaterial being held by individuals, or byconsultancy companies, many archiveshave been inaccessible to scholars forresearch purposes. In addition, materialhas been at risk of loss, damage or destruc-tion. In some cases, primary records havenot been fully retained.

Secure long-term storage of primaryrecords, in accordance with internationalarchival standards or standards establishedfor Ireland by the Irish Society ofArchivists, has not previously been avail-able at a regional or national level. Theabsence of a dedicated repository, or of anofficial set of guidelines for the donation ofarchaeological archives, has had a signifi-cant impact on the long-term security andpreservation of material.

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South Great George’s St, Dublin 2 (Excavation of a Viking warrior inhumation). Courtesy of MGL.

International best practice for thesubmission of archives

Dependent upon a country’s legislation, thesubmission of excavation archives is volun-tary, as in the UK and Sweden, or obligato-ry, as in Germany and Switzerland.

RepositoriesWithin the scope of voluntary require-ments, British archaeological archives maybe housed in local museum-based reposi-tories. The majority of archaeologicalexcavations in the UK are, in commonwith Ireland, undertaken by commercialsector archaeologists. Unpublished reportsand some archives are submitted to coun-ty museums, but there is no dedicatednational repository.

Storage and access Archaeological archives are importantboth as safe storage provisions for data andas facilities for researchers. Access to mate-rial may be enabled by the provision of in-house or online databases, or by the publi-cation of reports online. In Germany andthe UK, a reasonable (research) interest inthe material must be demonstrated, and alegal waiver signed, before material can bereleased.

Copyright Access to unpublished material has legaland organisational implications, so provi-sion must be put in place to ensure theprotection of copyright. In such legisla-tion, where the copyright and ownershipof archive material lies with the excavator,the ownership of the archive must pass tothe repository while the intellectual copy-right remains with the excavator. Legallybinding agreements must be signed at thepoint of donation.

Uniformity of archival standards

A fundamental prerequisite for the estab-lishment of an archive consisting of sub-missions from different parties is homo-geneity of the material. This requirementallows for straightforward processing ofthe overall submission. It also ensuresaccessibility. Standards, specific to particu-lar countries and regions, have been estab-lished relating to the range of material tobe submitted. Such standards specify for-mat (hard copy and digital), storage mediaand formats (for both hard copy and digi-tal), structure of data, terminology, supple-mentary documentation and indices.Ideally, criteria are agreed from the outset.

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Temple Bar West, Dublin 2 (Publications). Courtesy of MGL.

Arrangements are made to ensure thatthese criteria are integrated into the proj-ect design and that contact with the repos-itory is already established at the planningstage of an excavation. Such advancearrangements ensure that standards aremet and that the transfer of all documen-tation following completion is facilitated.

Dublin city archaeologicalarchives held in private hands

Since 1990, the majority of archaeologicalexcavations carried out in Dublin city havebeen completed as a result of planningconditions. Between 1995 and 2000, 647archaeological licences were issued in thecounty of Dublin, approximately 400 ofthese relating to excavations in the city.

As part of the study which preceded theproduction of these guidelines, an analysisof the archive of Margaret Gowen & Co.Ltd. identified 84 boxes of files from 65archaeological excavations in the city. Onthis basis, calculations suggest that the

entire excavation archive for Dublin cityrepresents approximately 250-300bankers’ archive boxes.

A national survey carried out by theInstitute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI)indicated similar figures, although owingto the low response rate from members theresults were treated with caution. Findingsshowed that 34 individuals retainedarchives for some 671 sites, while a furthereight respondents failed to retain thearchives of 49 excavations. Some 33respondents estimated that 532 archival-sized boxes containing archaeologicalmaterial were being held in company orprivate storage facilities nationwide.

The establishment of the Dublin CityArchaeological Archive is, therefore, a wel-come and timely development which willaid archaeologists in the long-term man-agement and preservation of site and exca-vation records.

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Temple Bar West, Dublin 2 (Working Shot). Courtesy of MGL.

Until now, no legal or procedural require-ments existed in Ireland for archaeologi-cal excavation records and archives to bekept, maintained as living records, orpassed on to nominated third parties.Dublin City Council is the first planningauthority to require submission of pri-mary site records to a dedicated archive asa condition of planning permission.

A recent survey, conducted by theInstitute of Archaeologists of Ireland(2006), found that opinion as to thedegree of excavation archives worthy oflong-term storage ranged from all materi-al uncovered to as low as half of the exca-vation findings. Consequently, preserva-tion by record is not being demonstrablyachieved. A lack of consistency persists inthe methods used by individuals andcompanies to build and store excavationarchives. This leads to incompatible prac-tices in the selection, filing and manage-ment of material retained. In addition,

individuals and consultancies cannot pro-vide secure long-term storage in accor-dance with international archival stan-dards such as BS 5454, or standards estab-lished for Ireland in the Standards for theDevelopment of Archives Services (Societyof Archivists Irish Region 1997).

While the pilot study which precededthese guidelines identified the need for anarchaeological archive for Dublin city, it isrecognised that a similar need exists atnational level. This national issue was sin-gled out in the ‘Archaeology 2020’ fore-sight study ‘Repositioning IrishArchaeology in the Knowledge Society’(UCD et al. 2006). The study recommendsthe development of a National Archaeol-ogical Archive on the grounds that theabsence of such an initiative will result incontinued failure to integrate new infor-mation generated by development-ledarchaeology and other excavations.

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The need for an Archaeological ArchiveCuspóir na dTreoirlínte

Preservation by record is achieved by systematic,archaeological excavation and the creation of

detailed relational records using comprehensivewritten, photographic, survey, drawn and digitalmaterial. These records facilitate the preparationof full stratigraphic and analytical reports whichpresent full and integrated records for posterity

and future study.

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Golden Lane, Dublin 8 (Site Drawing). Courtesy of MGL.

For the purposes of the DCAA, archaeo-logical archives are all parts of the archae-ological record incuding digital records aswell as written, drawn and photographicdocumentation. However, these excludeall finds and samples.

An archaeological project is any pro-gramme of work involving collection ofinformation about an archaeological site,assemblage or object. Examples of anarchaeological project are: aerial survey,building recording, conservation, desktopsurvey, evaluation, excavation, field-walk-ing, finds analysis, finds collection, on-sitesurvey, resource management projects,remote sensing, scientific analysis andwatching brief.

Preparation of an archive for transfer toDCLA should include all details of theconstruction process that are relevant toarchaeology and which may be needed forsynopsis or redevelopment purposes.

This element of the archive may includedetails not contained in the final excavation report, for example:

� Areas not impacted on, or partiallyimpacted on

� Areas preserved in situ� Areas where there was no archaeology.

Original engineering information shouldinclude:

� Areas of underpinning� Topographical surveys� Photographic surveys� Building layouts� Elevations� Final foundation design (as built)� Methodologies for the construction

programme� Service layout.

Results of investigative works shouldinclude:

� Trial pits� Contamination pits� Bore holes� Service investigations � Other ground-penetrating

investigations.

Excavation archives should include:

� Relevant correspondence� Design team minutes� Site meeting minutes � Correspondence with engineers and

architects � Correspondence with the statutory

authorities.

Architectural information shouldinclude:

� Architectural drawings of the finalbuild

� Architectural elevation� Architectural sections.

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Archival Content

Commercially sensitive material should be excluded

Copyright and ownership should be estab-lished prior to donation.

Ownership of material donated passes toDublin City Council. DCLA does notaccept material unless ownership is trans-ferred.

Intellectual copyright rests with the donor.The terms of the Copyright and Related Acts(2000) allow DCLA to provide photocopiesof material for research purposes only.

Researchers wishing to publish are obligedto write to the donor for permission.

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Fishamble St, Dublin 2 (Geodetic Survey & Laser Scanning Survey). Courtesy of MGL.

Copyright and Ownership

� Storage for archaeological archives canbe provided by DCLA only if materialis made available for public researchand is submitted with a box list pre-pared by the donor.

� To allow for the publication of find-ings from excavations a closure periodof three years must be agreed upon byboth parties to commence on the dateof donation.

� Closure periods agreed upon at thetime of donation cannot be varied.

� During the closure period, archaeolog-ical archives are available for researchonly to the donor or to persons nomi-nated by the donor in writing.

� The standard Terms of Membership ofDCLA, including photocopyingcharges, apply to all such persons.

� Donors and archaeologists who haveworked on the excavation recorded indonated archives may borrowslides/photographs relating to suchexcavations for the purposes of lecturepresentations or for the preparation ofarticles and publications relating tothe excavation.

� At the conclusion of the three-yearclosure period, each collection ofarchaeological archives will be openedfor public research. The standardTerms of Membership of DCLA,including photocopying charges, willapply.

� DCLA operates from the box list sup-plied by the donor and does not relistthe material.

� If the material is not made availablefor public research it will be returnedto the donor.

� Material made available is subject tothe security systems in place in theDCLA repository.

� Each file is tagged prior to its use inthe research room.

� The contents of files are checked priorto their being made available in theresearch room to ensure sensitivematerial, which may inadvertentlyhave remained on file, is not madeavailable.

� DCLA provides storage for recordsonly under specific terms and condi-tions agreed with the donor at thetime of donation.

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Access and Storage

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South Great George’s St, Dublin 2 (Artefact). Courtesy of MGL.

All aspects of the archaeological process affectthe quality of the resulting achive. The archive

process begins with planning the creation of thefirst record, and if proper systems of recordingare not consistently applied, then the archive

will not be ordered or accessible; for example, ifthere is no recognised terminology for features

or deposits, then it will not be possible toseparate records of post-holes from pits, or if

some features are photographed with noidentifying labels then those records will have

little value. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES FORUM, 2006

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Composition of archaeologicalarchives accepted

� A variety of media formats e.g. paper,maps and drawings, photographs,slides, negatives, transparencies anddigital material will be accepted

� Photographs. These will be scanned/digitised, as colour photographs donot survive long-term.

Material to be accessioned

� Excavation reports, including special-ist reports

� Copies of draft reports. The first draftis usually most relevant. If otherdrafts are included, version control isimperative

� Other records: notes, records, indices,catalogues, reports, context sheets,site notebooks

� Copies of all published material

� Drawings – ink or pencil

� Photographs – negatives, contacts,prints, transparencies

� Digital material.

Composition of archaeologicalarchives NOT accepted

� ‘Low grade’ material e.g. newspapercuttings, memoranda to staff, admin-istrative documentation, includingroutine correspondence, etc.

� Financial material e.g. tenders, budg-ets, costs, invoices, receipts, salaries,wages, bank details

� Commercially sensitive material

� Employment contracts

� Environmental samples, ecofacts etc.

� Artefacts are NOT accepted by DCLAas these belong in a museum not inan archive.

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Composition of Archaeological Archivesaccepted by DCLA

If site archives are designed from the outset tocomply with the standard devised, the time

spent on the prepartion for submission would besignificantly reduced.

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Standards for the creation, management andpreparation of the archive must be understoodand agreed at the beginning of any project …

Lines of communication are vital in any project,and especially in the archiving process.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES, 2006

Temple Bar West, Dublin 2 (Excavation). Courtesy of MGL.

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General Submission Requirements

Items should be submitted as digital and hard copies wherepossible, and should always be accompanied by a key-word list

Photographs may remain in albums

Each unit should be labelled according to a template supplied byDCLA. Labels will be supplied by DCLA

The contents list should be numbered accordingly and placedinside the top of the box

The donor should remove all metal fastenings, existing file covers,ring binders etc.

Maps/plans/drawings may be submitted rolled. A professionalconservator will flatten this material, if required

All boxes, file covers and labels supplied by DCLA should bereturned by the donor even if they are not used

The key-word list should include periods represented on site,site types, materials and artefact types present

Each submitted unit (e.g. box, folder, CD) should beaccompanied by a contents list. Units without lists will bereturned to the donor by DCLA

Contents lists will be checked against the contents by DCLA.Discrepancies will be noted and the box will be returned to thedonor for revision of the box list

Once all boxes, folders, etc. have been checked, DCLA will send acopy of the initial donation agreement, including details ofcopyright and ownership to the donor. A receipt will be attached

All material should be repacked using file covers and boxessupplied by DCLA. File covers/portfolios for outsize materiale.g. maps/plans/drawings are available from DCLA

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Summary of Preparation for Transfer

Liaise with archivist/repository

Mark archive material appropriately

Pack archive material appropriately and create digital copies ofdocuments where possible

Compile a contents list (box list)

Compile key-word list, listing periods represented on site, sitetype and material and artefact types present

Clearly establish ownership and copyright conditions

Remove metal fastenings and adhesive tape and replace withplastic paperclips

Put documents in a logical e.g. chronological order

Ensure documents are not folded

Label and number boxes according to repository instructions

Remove self-adhesive labels/‘post-it’ notes. A separate sheet tomark groups of documents or convey information may beincluded

� Include a list or index of drawings � Pack drawings securely to minimise

damage, deterioration, loss or theft� Drawings should clearly identify the

project/excavation e.g. site name andlicence number. Identify the subject,scale, a north sign or other means oflocation/orientation if appropriate

� Remove metal fastenings/adhesive tape � Do not use adhesive lettering to iden-

tify/convey site information� Include all drawings, if possible� DCLA will provide outsize boxes

and/or file covers to the donor forstorage purposes.

� Process used films prior to transfer� Media which can be kept in perpetuity

in their original form should be usedfor record purposes. Digital photo-graphs are appropriate only if there isa clearly established procedure forlong-term preservation. In all othercases, transfer prints of digital photo-graphs

� Pack photographs securely to min-imise damage, deterioration, loss ortheft

� Classify negatives, prints, slides andtransparencies by type and pack sepa-rately

� Index all material � Mark photographs clearly to identify

the project/excavation e.g. site nameand licence number

� Pack negatives in polyester packets orhangers

� Mark negative holders, not negatives � Pack prints in polyester sleeves � Mark prints at back using a soft pen-

cil, not ink� Pack transparencies in polyester pack-

ets or hangers� Mark transparency mounts, not the

film� Identify the subject using scale, a

north sign or other means of loca-tion/orientation, if appropriate

� Video is NOT an acceptable recordmedium of archival quality. Transfermaterial to DVD prior to submission

� DCLA will provide Mylar pockets forstorage purposes.

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Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd (Archive Storage).

Courtesy of MGL.

Transfer of PhotographsTransfer of Drawings

� Close communication between thedonor and DCLA is essential prior totransfer of a digital archive. Details ofthe long-term curation of and accessto digital material should be clarified

� DCLA accepts digital material in a vari-ety of formats e.g. text documents;spreadsheets; databases stored onshort-term storage media. The versionused should be up to date. The donoris responsible for updating digitalmaterial prior to transfer. Material notmeeting requirements will be returned

� Short-term storage media include flop-py discs, USB keys, hard discs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, all regularly backed up

� An up-to-date virus protection shouldbe in use

� DCLA advises on the preferred file typefor specific types of digital material

� Categorise digital material by types ofdata file e.g. CAD, database, spread-sheet, GIS, text, etc.

� Pack digital material transferred onstorage media securely to minimisedamage, deterioration, loss or theft

� Use consistent standards of terminolo-gy, content, format, file naming(incorporating the licence number)

� Label digital material clearly and per-manently to identify the project andthe contents of each disc, tape etc. DoNOT stick adhesive labels directly onto CDs and DVDs. Use non-acidic,specialised markers

� If standards or other conventions wereused when creating the digital materi-al, a copy of these should be included

� All digital material should be clear ofviruses and checked prior to transfer

� Donors should keep a copy of all digi-tal material until they are sure that thelong-term preservation and curationof and access to the digital materialhas been guaranteed by DCLA.

� DCLA supplies folders (A4) for print-outs or handwritten documentation;plan-folders (A1 and A2) for plans;paper clips, treasury tags, plastic slide-on binders; Mylar plastic photo pock-ets (4 photos per sheet) each consist-ing of acid-free materials

� All materials should be signed for bythe archaeologist or archaeologicalcompany to whom they are issued.Unused items should be returned toDCLA

� Up to 100 A4 sheets can be containedin a folder. Where required, sheetsmay be held together by treasury tagswith plastic ends or plastic slide-onbinders

� Store slides in slide boxes, NOT infolders or on sheets

� Submit photographs in folders. Labelindividually on the back in prepara-tion for transfer to special Mylar plas-tic photo pockets.

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Hammond Lane, Dublin 7 (Recording the Site.

Courtesy of MGL.

Transfer of Digital Material

Packing of archival material

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Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 (Site Survey). Courtesy of MGL.

Ensuring the security and stability of thearchive is a continuous and a universalresponsibility. All archaeologists must

recognise that they must manage archivematerial, e.g. record sheets, drawings, digitalrecords, to preserve the content and protect

from damage and loss. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES FORUM, 2006

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� Accompany all items by a briefdescription, indicating clearly the typeof material included (report, plan,etc.)

� Number and reference all items in thelists of contents for the individualunits (box, folder, etc.)

� Provide an overall index of all itemssubmitted

� Number photographs and slides andidentify their object (feature number,section etc.)

� Do NOT submit negatives unless theycan be identified.

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Indexing

Folder and Plan Folder Labelling

• Site name • Excavation licence number • Folder number out of number

of folders • List of contents – number of

each item and descriptionNumbering should beconsecutive

• Details of contents.

Box Labelling

Top labelling:• Site name• Excavation licence number • Box number out of number of

boxes • List of folders contained in

box, with title.

Front labelling: • Box number • Name • Excavation licence number • Brief description of contents.

A project has not been completed until thearchive has been transferred successfully and is

fully accessible for consultation. It is in theinterest of all parties to facilitate the transfer ofcompleted archives to recognised repositories asquickly as possible after the dissemination phase

of an archaeological project.ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES FORUM, 2006

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Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 (Excavation). Courtesy of MGL.

Slide Box Labelling

• Site name • Excavation licence number • Folder number out of number

of folders • List of number of slides

contained in folder. Numberingshould be consecutive

• Label should be attached to theBASE of the box.

Digital Media Labelling

• Label for CD

• Site Name • Excavation licence number • Brief list of contents.

• List to accompany CD

• Site Name • Excavation licence number • Date • List of contents – number of

each item, description, andelectronic format of eachdocument.

Photograph Labelling

• Site name • Excavation licence number • Brief description of photograph

or feature • Label should be attached to the

BACK of each photograph andwritten in pencil NOT ink.

Storage facilities at DCLA

DCLA storage complies with internationalbest-practice standards and ensures thelong-term preservation of all records sub-mitted.

The adaptable storage facilities can accom-modate outsize material, photographs,slides, negatives and digital material.

Strongrooms are constructed and finishedto BS5454 standards. They include:

� an air-handling system to regulate thetemperature and humidity levels thusensuring optimum storage conditions

� a fire-suppression system designed tooperate after two smoke alarms areactivated. This is a safety measureagainst false alarms. The system worksby removing oxygen from the atmos-phere, while simultaneously engagingdampers on the air-handling system toprevent fresh air from entering thearea and fuelling the fire.

Strongrooms are fitted with a mixture ofmobile shelving, static shelving and out-size storage cabinets for maps, plans,drawings, etc.

The repository is fitted with a monitoredsecurity alarm and internal and externalsurveillance cameras. Due to late eveningand weekend opening hours, staff mem-bers are present for much of the time.

Digital master files are held in environ-mentally-appropriate and secure offsitestorage, while working copies for use areheld by DCLA onsite.

DCLA undertakes to apply these standardsto the scanning and digitising of suitablematerial from the submitted archaeologi-cal archives.

Dublin City Library &

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Dublin City Library and Archive, Dublin 2 (Archive Storage). Courtesy of MGL.

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Contact DetailsSonraí Teagmhála

Acknowledgements

Steering Group: Mary Clark, Charles Duggan, Ruth Johnson (DCC), Ed Bourke(DoEHLG), Christiaan Corlett (IAI), Ian Doyle & Hugh Maguire (HC), Andy Halpin(NMI), Aideen Ireland (NA).

Consultants:Edmond O’DonovanKatharina Becker for Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.Orna Somerville, Member of the Society of Archivists.

Publications: Archaeology Archives Forum 2006. Archaeological archives. Creation,preparation, transfer and curation. Draft.

Design and production: Environmental Publications.

Editor: Jill Siddall.

Images: Supplied courtesy of Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd (MGL).

Archive

Contact Name: Dr. Mary Clark City Archivist

Address DCLA: Dublin City Library & Archive138-144 Pearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: 01-674 4996Fax: 01-674 4879E-mail: cityarchives@dublincity.ie

Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 10.00-20.00Friday and Saturday 10.00-17.00

Closed Sundays; Bank Holidays; Bank Holiday Weekends.