Recently, our Research Projects Manager, Dr Holly Wright, attended Swedigarch, a national conference hosted by the Swedish National Heritage Board and the National Museums of History. The event brought together a diverse group of professionals active in archaeology and cultural heritage conservation—including archaeologists, researchers, museum professionals, government officials, and students—to discuss open archaeology.
Swedigarch is aiming to develop a research infrastructure customised for the needs of future research opportunities. As archaeological practice continues to evolve in the digital age, so too does the volume and complexity of the data it produces. Since the early 1990s, the shift to digital documentation in commissioned archaeology has generated vast amounts of primary data. Yet this explosion of information also presents challenges: How do we ensure that both historical and current digital records remain accessible, usable, and open for future generations?
Dr Wright delivered a keynote address titled ‘Archive Once, Reuse Everywhere: the Archaeology Data Service and International Ecosystems for Archaeological Data.’ This presentation explored the work of the ADS, its role within broader European initiatives like the ARIADNE Research Infrastructure, and the growing importance of data aggregation platforms such as ECHOES. She also highlighted the SEADDA COST Action and shared insights from the TETRARCHs project, which aims to identify and support good practices in the reuse of open archaeological data.
In addition to her keynote, Holly took part in a panel discussion moderated by Anders Högberg, alongside Philip Buckland, Nicolò Dell’Unto, and Helena Victor. Together, they explored the opportunities and challenges that open archaeology presents, including ethical data sharing, sustainable infrastructures, and fostering collaboration across disciplines and borders.
