Bit-Level Fidelity, Contextual Integrity

Digital preservation isn't about taking screenshots. It's about capturing the raw bytes, the server responses, the deprecated MIME types, and the client-side rendering quirks that defined an era.

Our methodology follows the OAIS reference model, adapted specifically for stateless, hyperlink-driven content. Every captured artifact is stored with its complete request/response chain, metadata lineage, and cryptographic verification hashes.

When a webpage vanishes, it's not just text lost. It's typography, layout logic, audio cues, and cultural context erased. We preserve the complete user experience.

$ verify-integrity --artifact geo_1998_v2 ✓ SHA-256 hash matches ✓ WARC record validated ✓ HTTP/1.0 headers preserved ✓ MIME types: text/html, image/gif, audio/midi ✓ Rendering context: Netscape Navigator 3.0 ✓ Status: ARCHIVED & VERIFIED

How We Capture & Maintain

Our automated ingestion system runs continuously across decentralized nodes, following a strict five-stage pipeline designed for maximum fidelity and long-term viability.

01

Discovery & Crawl

Seed URLs are expanded using era-appropriate link parsers, following frames, tables, and deprecated navigation structures.

02

Artifact Capture

Full HTTP streams are recorded, including headers, cookies, and binary payloads. Assets are de-duplicated and tagged.

03

Normalization

Raw data is converted into WARC/Cdx standards. Metadata is extracted, dated, and cryptographically signed.

04

Storage & Replication

Archives are distributed across geographically dispersed cold storage with erasure coding and periodic bit-rot checks.

05

Emulation & Render

Historical browser engines and OS environments are maintained to ensure accurate visual and interactive playback.

Formats We Support & Preserve

📄 Document & Markup

  • HTML 2.0 / 3.2 / 4.01
  • SGML & Early XML
  • Frame sets & Applets
  • CGI & Server-side scripts

🖼️ Media & Assets

  • GIF89a & Animated GIF
  • PCX, TGA, RAS, BMP
  • MIDI, MOD, S3M trackers
  • Early Flash & Shockwave

⚙️ Protocols & Archives

  • WARC / ARC / CDX Indexes
  • HTTP/1.0 & FTP Streams
  • Gopher & WAIS Archives
  • Memento TimeGate Links

Preservation at Scale

4.2M
Pages Captured
99.99%
Storage Uptime
12TB
Raw Artifact Data
240+
Academic Partners

Help Us Keep the Web Alive

Whether you're a researcher, a former webmaster, or just someone who remembers the old internet, you can contribute to our preservation efforts. Submit URLs, donate storage, or apply for API access.

Submit a URL for Archival Institutional Partnerships