Communications Strategy for Promoting Synergy between the Academy and the CRM Industry

Summary

Syntheses of archaeological data have the potential to expand knowledge of the past and to advance public policy. For syntheses to be successful, they must include CRM data and must involve collaboration of CRM and academic archaeologists. By promoting data access and synthetic research, ACRA will effectively promote synergy between the academy and the CRM industry.

Representing the industry, ACRA will encourage federal agencies at all levels to fulfill their legal responsibilities to make all digital archaeological data that document their investigations (broadly construed as datasets, documents, images, etc.) generated as part of public undertakings easily discoverable, accessible, usable, and preserved for future use in a responsible digital repository1 capable of providing essential digital data curation services for databases, documents, and images as described in footnote 1. ACRA will also encourage its members, in their individual interactions with agency clients and regulators, to do the same.

Footnote 1: A responsible digital repository must exhibit these key characteristics:

1. Deposited data are broadly discoverable using commonly available Internet search engines, as well

as through the repository website.

2. Deposited data are easily accessible online, but controlled access for confidential information (e.g.,

precise in situ site locations) also is possible.

3. Deposited files are linked permanently to rich, disciplinary-appropriate administrative, descriptive,

and technical metadata, which enable their re-use.

4. The repository operates under a sustainable financial and/or contingency plan that ensures longterm access and preservation of its content.

5. Deposited files are regularly checked and their integrity maintained.

6. The repository has an appropriate plan to provide long-term access and preservation as hardware

and software change.

7. The repository maintains robust backups of repository content and software, including full off-site

backup.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Digital Antiquity Publications and Reports

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Francis McManamon

File Information