Heritage Science Data Service
The Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) is providing core digital research services as part of the RICHeS programme, the UK’s Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science.
Funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and developed by the Archaeology Data Service (ADS), HSDS will unlock potential for innovation in heritage science and conservation research and its capacity to advance understanding, preservation, and management of UK heritage.
News! Access the catalogues, launched 1st October 2025.
What is HSDS?
Heritage science and conservation research has significant digital infrastructure requirements. These fields employ a broad range of technologies including: digital imaging (3D laser scanning, X-ray, infrared, XRF scanning etc), remote sensing (LiDAR, geophysics), 3D modelling, dating (dendrochronology, C14) and many others. Many of these complementary methods are used in tandem, generating numerous datasets at large scales that require active data management to ensure long-term preservation and re-use. These datasets are primary resources, generally born-digital, which cannot be reacquired. It is therefore essential they are managed and curated according to the FAIR data principles.
Over five years from October 2024, the HSDS will create:
- A catalogue of research facilities, reference collections and expertise;
- An aggregating function, making data collections navigable and searchable;
- A FAIR repository for research data, encouraging Access and Re-use, and ensuring datasets are preserved into the long term.
- A suite of Virtual Research Environments and software tools to allow researchers to visualise and analyse data.
Find out more at the HSDS website.
The HSDS Data Catalogue and Catalogue of Services
On 1 October 2025, HSDS launched both a Data Catalogue and a Catalogue of Services.
The HSDS Catalogue of Services provides an easy-to-use resource allowing users to discover and access RICHeS facilities that are essential to their research. With filters allowing resources to be categorised by Region, Organisation, Technique and Asset Types, users will be able to quickly find and apply to use the best facility for their needs.
The HSDS Data Catalogue aims to collate Heritage Science data archives from across the UK, making resources and research data findable and accessible to users and easy to navigate. Currently, the catalogue will only contain heritage science collections held by the ADS (Archaeology Data Service), however, further collections from HSDS Partners and beyond will be added in the coming months.
User Needs Research
The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is undertaking a User Needs consultation on behalf of Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS), as part of the RICHeS programme.
The research will test proposed elements of the HSDS during development to gain feedback from a wide range of users. It will explore general requirements for HSDS in terms of functionality and user experience, as well as developmental aspects around high performance computing facilities and Virtual Research Environments. The User Needs Consultation will be conducted by Manda Forster PhD MCIfA and Samantha Paul PhD MCIfA, both highly experienced professionals with expertise in user needs analysis, consultation, and sector surveys.