The ZEUS data preservation project

The HERA experiments (ZEUS, H1, HERMES) and DESY-IT are making a common effort to allow long term access and physics analysis. In this document the ZEUS data preservation project is described. In the ZEUS approach, the analysis model is based on the Common Ntuple project, under development since 2006. The real data and all presently available Monte Carlo samples are being preserved in a flat ROOT ntuple format. There is ongoing work to provide the ability to simulate new additional Monte Carlo samples also in the future. The validation framework of such a scheme, using virtualisation techniques, is being explored. The goal is to validate the frozen ZEUS software against future changes in hardware and operating system. A cooperation between ZEUS, DESY-IT and the library was established for document digitisation and long-term preservation of collaboration web pages. Part of the ZEUS internal documentation has already been stored within the HEP documentation system INSPIRE. Existing digital documentation, needed to perform physics analysis also in the future, is being centralised and completed.