Choose Your Role
Select the path that matches your skills and interests. All contributors help maintain digital heritage.
Web Archaeologist
Locate, crawl, and catalog forgotten URLs, defunct domains, and obscure early web servers.
Field WorkPreservation Engineer
Build and maintain archiving tools, reverse-engineer deprecated formats, and optimize storage pipelines.
TechnicalDigital Historian
Analyze archived content, write documentation, and contextualize web culture for academic and public use.
ResearchCommunity Contributor
Submit personal archives, tag metadata, moderate discussions, and help onboard new volunteers.
All LevelsApplication Process
Four simple steps to gain access to the contributor portal and begin your work.
Submit Your Profile
Fill out the new_contributor.form with your background, preferred role, and timezone. No cover letter required.
Identity & Access Verification
Complete a lightweight verification step. We issue PGP keys and portal credentials within 48 hours.
Onboarding & Training
Access the /docs/guidelines directory, complete the archiving ethics module, and join your role's Discord channel.
Start Archiving
Receive your first assignment, deploy local tools, and begin pushing verified captures to the central repository.
Minimum Requirements
We value passion over pedigree, but these basics help ensure smooth collaboration.
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Stable Internet Connection
Required for syncing captures and accessing the contributor dashboard.
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Basic HTML/HTTP Knowledge
Helpful for all roles. Technical positions require deeper familiarity.
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Ethics Agreement
Sign our non-commercial, preservation-first data handling policy.
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10+ Hours/Month
Flexible schedule, but consistent contributions keep the archive alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about joining the project.