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Dark Archive

/dɑːrk ˈɑːrkaɪv/ Archival term. A repository with no public access.
Definition A secure, non-public digital repository designed solely for preservation and disaster recovery. Unlike a standard archive (which serves the public) or a library (which lends materials), a Dark Archive is a "Doomsday Vault." Its contents are accessed only after a "Trigger Event," such as the extinction of the publisher or a catastrophic data loss.

The Shadows of Preservation

Dark Archives are essential for overcoming legal barriers to preservation. Copyright law might prevent a library from displaying a work, but a Dark Archive allows them to preserve it legally under the premise that it is not being "published." It is a legal loophole that saves history.

Field Notes

CLOCKSS (Controlled LOCKSS): A real-world example of a distributed Dark Archive. Academic publishers deposit their journals into a decentralized network. If a publisher goes bankrupt ("Trigger Event"), the Archive "lights up" and makes the content public. It is a dead man's switch for knowledge.
Privacy vs. History: Dark Archives are also the solution for Ethical Preservation. Sensitive personal data (like a writer's emails) can be donated to a Dark Archive with a 50-year embargo, ensuring safety for the living while preserving truth for the future.
Stratigraphy (Related Concepts)
LOCKSS Copyright Gaps Orphan Work The Seed Bank