We at the ADS and HSDS are excited to announce the launch of our new deposit system – Ingest.
Ingest enables researchers, field archaeologists, heritage scientists and heritage professionals to deposit and preserve archaeological and heritage datasets through an intuitive interface. After years of research and development, including consultation and testing with our user community, the ingest system is based on key improvements requested by users to make depositing their data with us simpler.
This new system:
- Is quick to use,
- Supports multiple file formats,
- Facilitates all types of deposits (small to large),
- Automates metadata extraction using a single template, and
- Validates your files and metadata during deposition
Ingest is the replacement for ADS-easy, which was first launched in 2014 and has been the primary method of sending us data for more than 12 years, but was in need of an upgrade. This system was developed to streamline the process of archiving digital data and associated metadata and represents a significant advancement in our deposition capabilities.
Guidance
As part of the launch of Ingest, we have created a comprehensive online guidance on how to use the Ingest system.
This documentation provides detailed instructions for all user types, from first-time depositors to system administrators. Whether you are preparing to archive data for the first time, or have archived with us before, these guides will help you navigate the system efficiently.
To get started, check out how to register for Ingest, via the User Management System (UMA).
In consultation with our users we also plan on creating a series of instructional videos that we walk users through the deposit process and provide additional information about how to compile metadata. Users will have the ability to input what additional guidance would be useful for you as part of the training sessions.
Training Schedule
We are also offering a number of free online training sessions to help our existing and new users learn to use this new system. No previous experience is necessary. These sessions include:
An Introduction to Ingest – A 1.5 hour online course providing an introduction to the Ingest system including how to log in, how it works in the wider ADS and HSDS ecosystem and an overview of the deposit process.
Please sign up using the links below:
- Thursday 7th May 2026 (10am-11.30am) – Register
- Thursday 28th May 2026 (10am-11.30am) – Register
- Thursday 18th June 2026 (10am-11.30am) – Register
- Thursday 9th July 2026 (10am-11.30am) – Register
Ingest Q&A Drop-in session – An one hour open session that allows participants to ask more questions about Ingest from experts from the ADS and HSDS. Held every three weeks, users will have the ability to send questions in advance.
Please sign up using the links below:
- Thursday 14th May 2026 (10am-11am) – Register
- Thursday 4th June 2026 (10am-11am) – Register
- Thursday 25th June 2026 (10am-11am) – Register
- Thursday 16th July 2026 (10am-11am) – Register
Future sessions will be announced in due course. If you cannot make these timings but would like to receive training please contact the ADS Helpdesk with the subject line ‘Ingest Training’.
Other Deposit Methods
Although Ingest is our new system, for now, all other methods of deposit with the ADS and HSDS will continue. This includes ADS-Easy, however, as Ingest has been designed to replace this system, ADS-Easy will be discontinued in April 2027. As such, all new depositors will be asked to use the new Ingest system and as such there will be no new registrations for ADS-Easy.
For large and complex depositions, including those that require a special interface, please contact the ADS or HSDS Collections Teams directly.
For Library datasets (e.g. journals, monograph series, reports), which will be indexed and disseminated by the ADS Library, depositors should continue to contact the ADS Collections Team directly. Further information can be found on the ADS Instruction for Depositors.
Feedback
We are always looking for ways to improve our resources. As we roll out this new deposit system, we will continue to make enhancements based on your experience — so if you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch at [email protected].
Please be aware that there may be intermittent downtime during this period as we continue to develop the system.
