Archivematica
Description
Archivematica is a digital preservation system. It is an integrated suite of open-source software tools that allows users to process digital objects from ingest to access in compliance with the ISO-OAIS functional model. Users monitor and control ingest and preservation micro-services via a web-based dashboard. Archivematica uses METS, PREMIS, Dublin Core, the Library of Congress BagIt specification and other recognized standards to generate trustworthy, authentic, reliable and system-independent Archival Information Packages (AIPs) for storage in your preferred repository.
Provider
This project is managed by Artefactual Systems.
Functional notes
Archivematica uses a micro-services approach, which means it acts as a wrapper for many task-specific applications such as the BagIt library, Clam Anti-Virus, DigiKam, FFmpeg, FITS (File Information Tool Set), ImageMagick, Inkscape, OpenOffice.org, and 7-Zip. The typical workflow is for the curator to assemble a transfer package in the filesystem: a script is provided for setting up the right folder structure or the structure can be assembled manually for some workflows, then digital objects are added to one folder and contextual information (submission documentation in the form of e.g. transfer forms, donation agreements) to another. The package is moved to an input folder 'watched' by the main Archivematica Web tool. Through the Web interface, the curator can decide to accept or reject the transfer. If the transfer is accepted, the tool performs an initial analysis – calculating checksums, assigning UUIDs, scanning for viruses, identifying formats, extracting metadata – and then offers to create a Submission Information Package (SIP); it is also possible to create one or more SIPs manually. Metadata (simple Dublin Core and PREMIS 2.2 rights/restrictions) can then be added to the SIP before it is ingested. At ingest, the curator can choose various routes such as Preservation (where the digital objects are normalised to archival formats and transformed into an Archival Information Package, or AIP), Access (where the digital objects are normalised to dissemination formats and transformed into a Dissemination Information Package, or DIP), repackaging without normalisation, or many combinations of the aforementioned. Further functions are provided for moving AIPs into archival storage and uploading DIPs to AtoM or another access portal. Workflows and decision points are configurable via preconfiguration settings in the administration tab of the web-based dashboard.
Documentation, community, and support
The online documentation for Archivematica includes a User and an Administrative Manual.
The project wiki provides, screencasts, requirements specifications (including use cases, activity diagrams, recognised significant properties of various media and media preservation plans) and a description of the technical architecture.
Community support is available through the Archivematica Discussion Group. Several region-based user groups exist.
Archivematica Camps are intended to provide a space for anyone interested in or currently using Archivematica, to come together, learn about the platform and share their experiences.
Sample data for testing Archivematica is available online and when Archivematica is installed.
Artefactual Systems, Inc., the primary developer of Archivematica, also offers support options.
Digital POWRR offers a How-to Tech Tutorial (PDF).
Archivist Ethan Gates offers a presentation entitled A Place Where You Process: An Introduction to Archivematica Workflows (slides,PDF).
Expertise required
The system is easy to use, though as it draws heavily on the OAIS Reference Model some familiarity with that model is needed to understand the workflows Archivematica supports. When installing directly on a Linux desktop or server, even if it is deployed in a virtual machine, a little technical expertise is required (e.g. for setting up ports correctly).
Influence and take-up
Archivematica use cases are listed here [1]
Standards compliance
The functionality of Archivematica is clearly based on that defined by the OAIS Reference Model. The Archival Information Packages generated by the system use the BagIt packaging format, in conjunction with a METS packaging manifest incorporating PREMIS metadata.
Development Activity
Activity Feed
Below the last 5 commits:
- 2026-09-23 12:23:52
- [tag:github.com,2008:Grit::Commit/cbc6cfde909f19b45992250429d1b89a799fdc7c Bump elasticsearch/elasticsearch]
- by dependabot https://github.com/dependabot
- 2026-09-22 05:52:19
- [tag:github.com,2008:Grit::Commit/ac9f2faa8bfeeac744cf31b107d308f5aeb7b4e3 Update submodules]
- by sevein https://github.com/sevein
- 2026-09-22 05:52:19
- [tag:github.com,2008:Grit::Commit/734cbc57de62a0092922317773050de63415b2df Import transfer-scoped rights from CSV]
- by sevein https://github.com/sevein
- 2026-09-19 18:35:37
- [tag:github.com,2008:Grit::Commit/cafff1b58725a025dd74ef161aa55d1382975244 Bump the github-actions group with 3 updates]
- by dependabot https://github.com/dependabot
- 2026-09-17 20:19:00
- [tag:github.com,2008:Grit::Commit/242cfc083828ac6294101302555106627b88ff9c Bump the github-actions group with 2 updates]
- by dependabot https://github.com/dependabot
Documentation and information on the latest Archivematica release is available here: https://www.archivematica.org/en/docs/latest
Mailing List(s)
See here for more information.
Release Feed
- 2026-09-17 20:07:53
- [tag:github.com,2008:Repository/5811958/v1.19.0-rc.2 v1.19.0-rc.2]
- by replaceafill
- 2026-08-21 19:53:28
- [tag:github.com,2008:Repository/5811958/v1.19.0-rc.1 v1.19.0-rc.1]
- by replaceafill
- 2025-09-26 16:01:39
- [tag:github.com,2008:Repository/5811958/v1.18.0 v1.18.0]
- by replaceafill
- 2025-09-26 15:47:12
- [tag:github.com,2008:Repository/5811958/v1.18.0-rc.5 v1.18.0-rc.5]
- by replaceafill
- 2025-09-25 21:12:18
- [tag:github.com,2008:Repository/5811958/v1.18.0-rc.4 v1.18.0-rc.4]
- by replaceafill