A method for archiving a predefined portion of a table residing in a database system includes: creating a first backup copy of the portion of the table; assigning to the portion of the table an access state flag; setting the access state flag; using the access state flag for preventing modification of existing backup copies of the portion of the table and for preventing further backup operations on the portion of the table; archiving the portion of the table to a separate system; deleting the content of the portion of the table from the database system and retaining the access state flag in the database system.