diff --git a/migrations/versions/0013_protected_thumbnails.py b/migrations/versions/0013_protected_thumbnails.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..043bfd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/versions/0013_protected_thumbnails.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+"""Protected thumbnails (US06-03).
+
+Revision ID: 0013_protected_thumbnails
+Revises: 0012_archive_plans
+Create Date: 2026-08-16
+
+A protected thumbnail is the durable comparison preview of an asset whose
+original has left active storage. It is evidence rather than cache, so the LRU
+quota must not evict it: the archive medium may be offline when it is needed.
+"""
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "0013_protected_thumbnails"
+down_revision = "0012_archive_plans"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column(
+        "thumbnails",
+        sa.Column("protected", sa.Boolean(), nullable=False, server_default=sa.false()),
+    )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_column("thumbnails", "protected")
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/models/thumbnails.py b/photo_pipeline/models/thumbnails.py
index d9cae8e..616d44c 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/models/thumbnails.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/models/thumbnails.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from datetime import datetime
 
-from sqlalchemy import DateTime, ForeignKey, Integer, String, func
+from sqlalchemy import Boolean, DateTime, ForeignKey, Integer, String, func
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column
 
 from photo_pipeline.db import Base
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ class Thumbnail(Base):
     width: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(Integer)
     height: Mapped[int | None] = mapped_column(Integer)
     format: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String)
+    # Durable comparison evidence for an archived asset: never evicted by the LRU
+    # quota, because the original may be on a medium that is no longer reachable.
+    protected: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, nullable=False, default=False)
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(
         DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, server_default=func.now()
     )
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/archive_transfer.py b/photo_pipeline/services/archive_transfer.py
index a42a7ed..a8efa1a 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/services/archive_transfer.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/archive_transfer.py
@@ -60,8 +60,10 @@ from photo_pipeline.services.archive_journal import (
     ArchiveState,
 )
 from photo_pipeline.services.archives import MARKER_NAME, ArchiveError, ArchiveService
+from photo_pipeline.services.duplicates import DuplicateService
 from photo_pipeline.services.hashing import sha256_file
 from photo_pipeline.services.rename_apply import PreconditionFailed, maybe_fault
+from photo_pipeline.services.thumbnails import ThumbnailService
 
 # The per-medium manifest: one JSON line per archived file, appended and fsynced
 # before its source is removed. It lives with the bytes so the archive can still be
@@ -335,6 +337,7 @@ class ArchiveTransferService:
                 raise PreconditionFailed(
                     "archive_unverified", f"{destination} is not a verified archive copy"
                 )
+            self._require_evidence(operation["asset_id"], destination)
             if source.exists():
                 if source.is_symlink():
                     raise PreconditionFailed("symlink", f"{source} became a symlink")
@@ -377,6 +380,28 @@ class ArchiveTransferService:
                     "asset_moved", f"asset {operation['asset_id']} is no longer at {source}"
                 )
 
+    def _require_evidence(self, asset_id: str, source: Path) -> dict:
+        """Review evidence must be durable before the original goes.
+
+        The perceptual hash keeps the asset in the fuzzy index once its bytes are
+        unreachable, and the protected preview is what duplicate review can still
+        look at. Both are read from the freshly verified archive copy, which holds
+        exactly the bytes being archived. A file that cannot be decoded has neither
+        — recorded, not fatal, since its exact hashes remain — but failing to
+        produce a preview from a decodable original stops the removal (concept §9).
+        """
+        DuplicateService(self._session_factory).ensure_phash(asset_id, source=source)
+        preview = ThumbnailService(self._session_factory, self._config).ensure_protected(
+            asset_id, source=source
+        )
+        if preview["state"] == "unavailable":
+            raise PreconditionFailed(
+                "preview_unavailable",
+                f"no durable comparison preview for asset {asset_id} "
+                f"({preview['error_code']})",
+            )
+        return preview
+
     # ── database ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     def _record_archived(self, operation: dict, location: dict, destination: Path) -> None:
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/archives.py b/photo_pipeline/services/archives.py
index f7de620..36d20e8 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/services/archives.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/archives.py
@@ -28,7 +28,11 @@ Blocker codes: ``no_library_root``, ``location_offline``, ``wrong_volume``,
 ``unsafe_destination``, ``destination_not_writable``, ``manifest_unwritable``,
 ``insufficient_capacity``, ``backup_unavailable``, ``lock_conflict``,
 ``rename_pending``, ``empty_scope``, ``destination_collision``,
-``upload_unverified``, ``bytes_changed``, ``file_missing``.
+``upload_unverified``, ``bytes_changed``, ``file_missing``, ``preview_unavailable``.
+
+Preflight also *creates* the durable comparison preview of every asset in scope
+(US06-03): it is the evidence duplicate review falls back on once the original is
+on a medium that may be offline, so it has to exist before the original leaves.
 
 Like upload preflight, the confirmation token is *derived* from the report rather
 than stored: any change to the scope, the bytes, the destination, or the blockers
@@ -59,14 +63,16 @@ from photo_pipeline.models import ArchiveLocation, Asset, UploadBatch, UploadIte
 from photo_pipeline.path_policy import PathPolicyError, is_excluded, normalize_root, resolve_within
 from photo_pipeline.services.albums import album_label
 from photo_pipeline.services.archive_journal import ArchiveJournal
+from photo_pipeline.services.availability import MARKER_NAME, read_marker as _read_marker
+from photo_pipeline.services.availability import refresh as refresh_availability
 from photo_pipeline.services.hashing import sha256_file
 from photo_pipeline.services.jobs import JobService
 from photo_pipeline.services.rename_journal import RenameJournal
+from photo_pipeline.services.thumbnails import ThumbnailService
 from photo_pipeline.services.upload_reports import VERIFIED
 
 PREFLIGHT_VERSION = 1
 TOKEN_PREFIX = f"v{PREFLIGHT_VERSION}"
-MARKER_NAME = ".photo-pipeline-archive.json"
 MANIFEST_NAME = "archive-manifest.json"
 
 # Upload outcomes that prove Immich holds these exact bytes. ``skipped``/``failed``/
@@ -163,7 +169,10 @@ class ArchiveService:
                     location.capabilities = json.dumps(probe["capabilities"])
                 reports.append(self._location_report(location, probe=probe))
             session.commit()
-            return reports
+        # A medium that just appeared or vanished changes what is readable, so the
+        # archived assets are re-derived from the same probe (US06-03).
+        refresh_availability(self._session_factory)
+        return reports
 
     # ── preflight ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -420,7 +429,10 @@ class ArchiveService:
 
     def _album(self, name: str, rows: list[dict], root: Path, *, reachable: bool) -> dict:
         folder = Path(rows[0]["path"]).parent
-        items = sorted((_item(row) for row in rows), key=lambda item: item["current_path"])
+        items = sorted(
+            (self._with_preview(_item(row)) for row in rows),
+            key=lambda item: item["current_path"],
+        )
         blocked = [item for item in items if item["blockers"]]
         blockers: list[dict] = []
 
@@ -456,6 +468,30 @@ class ArchiveService:
             "assets": items,
         }
 
+    def _with_preview(self, item: dict) -> dict:
+        """Create the durable comparison preview while the original is still here.
+
+        This is the last moment it can be made: once the file is archived and the
+        medium leaves, only the retained preview can answer "is this new photo the
+        same picture?". An original that cannot be decoded at all has no preview to
+        keep — its hashes and metadata stay the evidence — but a preview that fails
+        for any other reason blocks the archive (concept §9).
+        """
+        preview = self._previews().ensure_protected(item["asset_id"])
+        item["preview"] = preview
+        if preview["state"] == "unavailable" and not item["blockers"]:
+            item["blockers"].append(
+                _issue(
+                    "preview_unavailable",
+                    f"a durable comparison preview of {item['current_path']} could not be "
+                    f"created ({preview['error_code']})",
+                )
+            )
+        return item
+
+    def _previews(self) -> ThumbnailService:
+        return ThumbnailService(self._session_factory, self._config)
+
 
 # ── internals ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -512,13 +548,6 @@ def _transfer_method(folder: Path, root: Path) -> str:
     return "copy_verify_remove"
 
 
-def _read_marker(root: Path) -> dict | None:
-    try:
-        return json.loads((root / MARKER_NAME).read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
-    except (OSError, ValueError):
-        return None
-
-
 def _probe_write(path: Path, payload: bytes, *, keep: bool = False) -> str | None:
     """Write ``payload`` to ``path``; return the failure detail or ``None``."""
     try:
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/availability.py b/photo_pipeline/services/availability.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6bf3b34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/availability.py
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+"""Where an asset's bytes are right now (US06-03).
+
+Archiving removes the original from the active library but never removes the
+asset: its identity, hashes, decisions, and evidence stay. This module is the one
+place that answers "can these bytes be read, and if not, why" so inventory,
+duplicate review, thumbnails, and the archive service all give the same answer.
+
+States (concept §9):
+
+- ``active``             — the original is in the active library;
+- ``archived_online``    — the recorded medium is mounted and holds the file;
+- ``archived_offline``   — archived, but the medium is not available right now;
+- ``missing_unexpected`` — neither an active path nor the recorded archive
+  location explains the absence. This is the state that must never be confused
+  with ``archived_offline``: an unmounted disk is normal, a mounted disk with a
+  hole in it is not.
+
+A medium is identified by its marker file, never by its mountpoint, so a
+different disk mounted at the recorded root is offline rather than accepted.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+from collections import Counter
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from sqlalchemy import select
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, sessionmaker
+
+from photo_pipeline.models import ArchiveLocation, Asset
+
+ACTIVE = "active"
+ARCHIVED_ONLINE = "archived_online"
+ARCHIVED_OFFLINE = "archived_offline"
+MISSING_UNEXPECTED = "missing_unexpected"
+ARCHIVED = (ARCHIVED_ONLINE, ARCHIVED_OFFLINE)
+
+MARKER_NAME = ".photo-pipeline-archive.json"
+
+
+def read_marker(root: Path) -> dict | None:
+    """The medium's identity marker, or ``None`` when it is not readable."""
+    try:
+        return json.loads((root / MARKER_NAME).read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+def location_online(location: ArchiveLocation) -> bool:
+    """True only when the *recorded* medium is mounted at its root."""
+    marker = read_marker(Path(location.root))
+    return bool(marker) and marker.get("media_id") == location.media_id
+
+
+def archive_file(session: Session, asset: Asset) -> Path | None:
+    """The archived file's absolute path, whether or not the medium is mounted."""
+    if not asset.archive_location_id or not asset.archive_path:
+        return None
+    location = session.get(ArchiveLocation, asset.archive_location_id)
+    if location is None:
+        return None
+    return Path(location.root) / asset.archive_path
+
+
+def readable_path(session: Session, asset: Asset) -> Path | None:
+    """A path whose bytes can be read now: the active file, else the archive copy."""
+    if asset.current_path and Path(asset.current_path).exists():
+        return Path(asset.current_path)
+    archived = archive_file(session, asset)
+    if archived is None:
+        return None
+    location = session.get(ArchiveLocation, asset.archive_location_id)
+    if not location_online(location) or not archived.exists():
+        return None
+    return archived
+
+
+def state_of(session: Session, asset: Asset, *, online: dict[str, bool] | None = None) -> str:
+    """The availability this asset's storage actually justifies right now."""
+    if asset.current_path:
+        return ACTIVE if Path(asset.current_path).exists() else MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+    if not asset.archive_location_id:
+        return MISSING_UNEXPECTED if asset.availability_state != ACTIVE else ACTIVE
+    location = session.get(ArchiveLocation, asset.archive_location_id)
+    if location is None:
+        return MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+    reachable = (
+        online[location.id] if online and location.id in online else location_online(location)
+    )
+    if not reachable:
+        return ARCHIVED_OFFLINE
+    archived = archive_file(session, asset)
+    # The medium is mounted and identified: the file is either there, or it is
+    # genuinely gone — that is not "offline", it needs a human.
+    return ARCHIVED_ONLINE if archived and archived.exists() else MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+
+
+def refresh(session_factory: sessionmaker) -> dict[str, int]:
+    """Re-derive availability for every archived asset from the media themselves.
+
+    Only archived assets are probed: whether an *active* file is present is the
+    inventory scan's job and costs one stat per library file. Each medium is
+    probed once, not once per asset.
+    """
+    counts: Counter[str] = Counter()
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    with session_factory() as session:
+        online = {
+            location.id: location_online(location)
+            for location in session.scalars(select(ArchiveLocation))
+        }
+        for asset in session.scalars(
+            select(Asset).where(Asset.archive_location_id.is_not(None))
+        ):
+            state = state_of(session, asset, online=online)
+            counts[state] += 1
+            if state != asset.availability_state:
+                asset.availability_state = state
+                asset.state_version += 1
+                asset.updated_at = now
+        session.commit()
+    return dict(counts)
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/duplicates.py b/photo_pipeline/services/duplicates.py
index 80ada60..2ba67b4 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/services/duplicates.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/duplicates.py
@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@ Detection runs in two categories:
   band (NEAR/SIMILAR). These are review candidates: never decided automatically, and
   negative-linked pairs are suppressed so a rejected pair is not re-suggested.
 
+Archived assets stay in both indexes (US06-03): a new active copy of an archived
+original is recognised through its hashes even while the medium is offline, and
+cluster review falls back to the retained protected preview plus hash evidence.
+An exact/pixel match links straight to the archived canonical; a perceptual match
+is a review candidate that names the medium to mount for a pixel-level decision.
+
 Decisions (``canonical`` / ``not_duplicate`` / ``deferred``) persist with evidence,
 use optimistic version checks, are reversible, and can never form a canonical cycle.
 A new content-identical member of an already-decided cluster inherits the established
@@ -34,12 +40,14 @@ from sqlalchemy import func, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
 
 from photo_pipeline.models import (
+    ArchiveLocation,
     Asset,
     DuplicateCluster,
     DuplicateMember,
     DuplicateNegativeLink,
+    Thumbnail,
 )
-from photo_pipeline.services import hashing
+from photo_pipeline.services import availability, hashing
 
 NEAR_MAX = 5
 SIMILAR_MAX = 10
@@ -127,18 +135,18 @@ class DuplicateService:
 
     # ── perceptual hash backfill ───────────────────────────────────────────
     def ensure_phashes(self) -> int:
+        """Hash whatever is readable now — an archived asset keeps the hash it
+        already has, and gains one whenever its medium happens to be mounted."""
         updated = 0
         with self._session_factory() as session:
-            assets = session.execute(
-                select(Asset).where(
-                    Asset.availability_state == "active",
-                    Asset.current_path.isnot(None),
-                )
-            ).scalars()
+            assets = session.execute(select(Asset)).scalars()
             for asset in assets:
                 if asset.phash is not None and asset.phash_version == hashing.PHASH_VERSION:
                     continue
-                value = hashing.safe_phash(asset.current_path)
+                source = availability.readable_path(session, asset)
+                if source is None:
+                    continue
+                value = hashing.safe_phash(str(source))
                 if value is not None:
                     asset.phash = value
                     asset.phash_version = hashing.PHASH_VERSION
@@ -146,20 +154,40 @@ class DuplicateService:
             session.commit()
         return updated
 
+    def ensure_phash(self, asset_id: str, *, source=None) -> str | None:
+        """Backfill one asset's perceptual hash while its bytes are still readable.
+
+        Archiving calls this before the original leaves — passing the archive copy
+        as ``source``, since the database does not point at it yet — because an
+        asset without a pHash silently drops out of the fuzzy index the moment its
+        medium is away.
+        """
+        with self._session_factory() as session:
+            asset = session.get(Asset, asset_id)
+            if asset is None:
+                return None
+            if asset.phash is not None and asset.phash_version == hashing.PHASH_VERSION:
+                return asset.phash
+            source = source or availability.readable_path(session, asset)
+            if source is None:
+                return None
+            value = hashing.safe_phash(str(source))
+            if value is not None:
+                asset.phash = value
+                asset.phash_version = hashing.PHASH_VERSION
+                session.commit()
+            return value
+
     # ── detection ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     def detect(self) -> DetectionReport:
         self.ensure_phashes()
         now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
         report = DetectionReport()
         with self._session_factory() as session:
-            assets = list(
-                session.execute(
-                    select(Asset).where(
-                        Asset.availability_state == "active",
-                        Asset.current_path.isnot(None),
-                    )
-                ).scalars()
-            )
+            # Every known asset stays in the indexes, archived or not: a copy of an
+            # archived original must be recognised as a duplicate rather than
+            # treated as a new photo (concept §9, invariant 12).
+            assets = list(session.execute(select(Asset)).scalars())
             by_id = {a.id: a for a in assets}
             negatives = {
                 _pair(link.asset_a, link.asset_b)
@@ -431,10 +459,19 @@ class DuplicateService:
 
     @staticmethod
     def _recommend_canonical(ids, by_id) -> str:
-        # ponytail: largest file, path as deterministic tie-break. The concept's
-        # richer policy (resolution, least recompression, metadata richness) lands
-        # with the review UI story.
-        return max(ids, key=lambda i: (by_id[i].byte_size or 0, by_id[i].current_path or ""))
+        # ponytail: largest file, then the archived copy, then path as a
+        # deterministic tie-break. Archived wins ties because it is the reviewed,
+        # uploaded original — a fresh active copy must not demote it to a variant.
+        # The concept's richer policy (resolution, least recompression, metadata
+        # richness) lands with the review UI story.
+        return max(
+            ids,
+            key=lambda i: (
+                by_id[i].byte_size or 0,
+                by_id[i].availability_state in availability.ARCHIVED,
+                by_id[i].current_path or by_id[i].archive_path or "",
+            ),
+        )
 
     def _apply_canonical(self, session, cluster, ids, canonical_id):
         for member in session.execute(
@@ -507,9 +544,15 @@ class DuplicateService:
                         "current_path": asset.current_path if asset else None,
                         "byte_size": asset.byte_size if asset else None,
                         "phash": asset.phash if asset else None,
+                        **self._offline_evidence(session, asset),
                     }
                 )
             members.sort(key=lambda m: m["asset_id"])
+            # A full-resolution comparison of an offline original is impossible; the
+            # UI asks for that named medium instead of guessing (concept §9).
+            mount_required = sorted(
+                {m["archive_location"] for m in members if m["requires_mount"]}
+            )
             return {
                 "id": cluster.id,
                 "method": cluster.method,
@@ -519,9 +562,54 @@ class DuplicateService:
                 "canonical_asset_id": cluster.canonical_asset_id,
                 "version": cluster.version,
                 "requires_confirmation": cluster.method == Method.PERCEPTUAL.value,
+                "mount_required": mount_required,
                 "members": members,
             }
 
+    def _offline_evidence(self, session, asset: Asset | None) -> dict:
+        """What review can still rely on when a member's original is not readable."""
+        if asset is None:
+            return {
+                "availability_state": None,
+                "archive_location": None,
+                "archive_location_id": None,
+                "archive_path": None,
+                "preview": {"state": "missing", "protected": False},
+                "requires_mount": False,
+            }
+        location = (
+            session.get(ArchiveLocation, asset.archive_location_id)
+            if asset.archive_location_id
+            else None
+        )
+        preview = self._preview_evidence(session, asset.id)
+        archived = asset.availability_state in availability.ARCHIVED
+        return {
+            "availability_state": asset.availability_state,
+            "archive_location": location.name if location else None,
+            "archive_location_id": asset.archive_location_id,
+            "archive_path": asset.archive_path,
+            "preview": preview,
+            # Offline archived members can still be compared through their retained
+            # preview and hash evidence; only pixel-level review needs the medium.
+            "requires_mount": archived
+            and asset.availability_state == availability.ARCHIVED_OFFLINE
+            and bool(location),
+        }
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _preview_evidence(session, asset_id: str) -> dict:
+        rows = list(
+            session.execute(select(Thumbnail).where(Thumbnail.asset_id == asset_id)).scalars()
+        )
+        ready = [r for r in rows if r.state == "ready" and r.path]
+        if ready:
+            best = max(ready, key=lambda r: (bool(r.protected), r.size or 0))
+            return {"state": "ready", "protected": bool(best.protected), "size": best.size}
+        if rows:
+            return {"state": "unsupported", "protected": False, "size": rows[0].size}
+        return {"state": "missing", "protected": False, "size": None}
+
     # ── decisions ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     def decide(
         self,
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/inventory.py b/photo_pipeline/services/inventory.py
index 07c3a48..83ab24c 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/services/inventory.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/inventory.py
@@ -13,8 +13,11 @@ renames. Every discovered or absent path is classified as one occurrence:
 - ``missing``          — a known active asset whose file is gone (kept, flagged).
 
 Missing files are never pruned (that would break identity); the asset is retained
-with ``missing_at`` set. Archived assets are left untouched. Rescanning unchanged
-input makes no durable change.
+with ``missing_at`` set and its availability becomes ``missing_unexpected`` —
+nothing explains where the bytes went. Archived assets are left untouched: their
+absence from the active roots is expected, and each scan re-derives whether their
+medium is reachable (:mod:`photo_pipeline.services.availability`). Rescanning
+unchanged input makes no durable change.
 
 Extracted from photo_analyzer.discover_photos/reconcile_moved/prune_missing
 (see donor_ledger.yaml: pa-discovery, pa-prune-missing).
@@ -30,12 +33,12 @@ from enum import Enum
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Iterable
 
-from sqlalchemy import func, select
+from sqlalchemy import func, or_, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, sessionmaker
 
 from photo_pipeline import path_policy
 from photo_pipeline.models import Asset, AssetPath
-from photo_pipeline.services import hashing
+from photo_pipeline.services import availability, hashing
 
 
 class Occurrence(str, Enum):
@@ -60,6 +63,8 @@ def _asset_dict(asset: Asset) -> dict:
         "id": asset.id,
         "current_path": asset.current_path,
         "availability_state": asset.availability_state,
+        "archive_location_id": asset.archive_location_id,
+        "archive_path": asset.archive_path,
         "byte_size": asset.byte_size,
         "current_sha256": asset.current_sha256,
         "pixel_sha256": asset.pixel_sha256,
@@ -101,7 +106,9 @@ class InventoryService:
                 result.asset_ids[str(path)] = asset.id
 
             for asset in assets:
-                if asset.availability_state != "active" or asset.id in seen_ids:
+                # Archived assets are explained by their location, not by the active
+                # roots: a scan must never prune or flag them (concept §9).
+                if asset.availability_state in availability.ARCHIVED or asset.id in seen_ids:
                     continue
                 if asset.current_path and asset.current_path not in discovered_paths:
                     if not Path(asset.current_path).exists():
@@ -109,10 +116,18 @@ class InventoryService:
                             asset.missing_at = now
                             asset.state_version += 1
                             asset.updated_at = now
+                        # Nothing explains this absence — it is not an offline medium.
+                        if asset.availability_state != availability.MISSING_UNEXPECTED:
+                            asset.availability_state = availability.MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+                            asset.state_version += 1
+                            asset.updated_at = now
                         result.occurrences[asset.current_path] = Occurrence.MISSING.value
 
             session.commit()
 
+        # Media may have been mounted or removed since the last scan.
+        availability.refresh(self._session_factory)
+
         result.counts = dict(Counter(result.occurrences.values()))
         return result
 
@@ -132,7 +147,11 @@ class InventoryService:
             if availability:
                 stmt = stmt.where(Asset.availability_state == availability)
             if query:
-                stmt = stmt.where(Asset.current_path.like(f"%{query}%"))
+                like = f"%{query}%"
+                # An archived asset has no active path; it is searched where it lives.
+                stmt = stmt.where(
+                    or_(Asset.current_path.like(like), Asset.archive_path.like(like))
+                )
             total = session.scalar(select(func.count()).select_from(stmt.subquery()))
             rows = session.execute(
                 stmt.order_by(Asset.current_path).limit(limit).offset(offset)
@@ -169,6 +188,7 @@ class InventoryService:
                 self._open_path(session, existing.id, path_str, now, occ.value)
             if existing.missing_at is not None:
                 existing.missing_at = None
+                existing.availability_state = availability.ACTIVE
                 existing.state_version += 1
                 existing.updated_at = now
             return existing, occ
@@ -189,6 +209,7 @@ class InventoryService:
             moved_from.current_path = path_str
             moved_from.byte_size = size
             moved_from.missing_at = None
+            moved_from.availability_state = availability.ACTIVE
             moved_from.state_version += 1
             moved_from.updated_at = now
             self._open_path(session, moved_from.id, path_str, now, Occurrence.MOVED.value)
diff --git a/photo_pipeline/services/thumbnails.py b/photo_pipeline/services/thumbnails.py
index 03e26a0..def3188 100644
--- a/photo_pipeline/services/thumbnails.py
+++ b/photo_pipeline/services/thumbnails.py
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ an EXIF-only edit reuses the file while a real pixel change invalidates it; writ
 are atomic and the cache is bounded by an LRU quota. Failures are persisted as typed
 errors so a broken original is not retried on every request.
 
+An archived asset is served from its medium when that medium is mounted, and from
+its *protected* preview when it is not (US06-03). Protected previews are evidence,
+not cache: the quota never evicts them, because the original they describe may be
+unreachable when duplicate review needs it.
+
 Reuses photo_analyzer.prepare_image decode/resize/HEIC handling, adding the missing
 EXIF-orientation step, WebP output, and a managed cache (donor_ledger.yaml:
 pa-imaging).
@@ -26,6 +31,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
 from photo_pipeline import path_policy
 from photo_pipeline.config import Config
 from photo_pipeline.models import Asset, Thumbnail
+from photo_pipeline.services import availability
 
 # Best-effort HEIC support: registered only if the optional decoder is installed.
 try:  # pragma: no cover - depends on an optional native dependency
@@ -38,6 +44,8 @@ except Exception:  # pragma: no cover
 SIZES = (256, 512, 1280)
 THUMB_VERSION = 1
 THUMB_FORMAT = "webp"
+# The size kept as durable comparison evidence for archived assets (concept §9).
+PROTECTED_SIZE = 1280
 
 
 class ThumbnailError(RuntimeError):
@@ -86,7 +94,12 @@ class ThumbnailService:
         self._config = config
         self._cache_dir = config.thumbnail_cache_dir
 
-    def generate(self, asset_id: str, size: int) -> Path:
+    def generate(
+        self, asset_id: str, size: int, *, protected: bool = False, source: Path | None = None
+    ) -> Path:
+        """Render (or reuse) a preview. ``source`` overrides where the bytes are read
+        from — the archiver passes its verified archive copy, which the database does
+        not yet point at while the transfer is still in flight."""
         if size not in SIZES:
             raise InvalidSize(f"size must be one of {SIZES}")
 
@@ -94,9 +107,7 @@ class ThumbnailService:
             asset = session.get(Asset, asset_id)
             if asset is None:
                 raise ThumbnailNotFound(f"unknown asset {asset_id}")
-            if asset.availability_state != "active" or not asset.current_path:
-                raise ThumbnailUnavailable(f"asset {asset_id} has no active file")
-            self._validate_path(asset.current_path)
+            archived = asset.availability_state in availability.ARCHIVED
             cache_key = self._cache_key(asset, size)
 
             row = session.get(Thumbnail, cache_key)
@@ -107,9 +118,18 @@ class ThumbnailService:
                     )
                 if row.path and Path(row.path).exists():
                     _touch(row.path)
+                    if protected and not row.protected:
+                        self._protect(cache_key)
                     return Path(row.path)
 
-            source = asset.current_path
+            # An archived original is read from its medium; when that medium is not
+            # mounted the retained preview above is the only evidence there is.
+            source = source or availability.readable_path(session, asset)
+            if source is None:
+                raise ThumbnailUnavailable(f"asset {asset_id} has no readable file")
+            source = str(source)
+            if source == asset.current_path:
+                self._validate_path(source)  # archive roots lie outside the library
 
         # Rendering happens outside the DB session (no transaction held during I/O).
         try:
@@ -119,10 +139,61 @@ class ThumbnailService:
                 self._record_error(cache_key, asset_id, size, error.code)
             raise
 
-        self._record_ready(cache_key, asset_id, size, rendered)
+        # Archived assets keep their preview permanently: it is the comparison
+        # evidence that survives the original leaving active storage.
+        self._record_ready(cache_key, asset_id, size, rendered, protected=protected or archived)
         self._enforce_quota(keep=rendered["path"])
         return Path(rendered["path"])
 
+    def ensure_protected(self, asset_id: str, *, source: Path | None = None) -> dict:
+        """Produce (or confirm) the durable comparison preview for an asset.
+
+        Returns evidence rather than raising, because the caller — archive
+        preflight and the transfer itself — decides what an unrenderable original
+        means. ``unsupported`` is a recorded property of the file, not a failure of
+        the policy: its hashes and metadata remain the comparison evidence.
+        """
+        try:
+            path = self.generate(asset_id, PROTECTED_SIZE, protected=True, source=source)
+        except tuple(_PERSISTED_ERRORS) as error:
+            return {"state": "unsupported", "error_code": error.code, "path": None}
+        except ThumbnailError as error:
+            return {"state": "unavailable", "error_code": error.code, "path": None}
+        return {"state": "ready", "error_code": None, "path": str(path)}
+
+    def evidence(self, asset_id: str) -> dict:
+        """What durable preview this asset has right now, without rendering."""
+        with self._session_factory() as session:
+            rows = list(
+                session.execute(
+                    select(Thumbnail).where(Thumbnail.asset_id == asset_id)
+                ).scalars()
+            )
+        for row in rows:
+            if row.state == "ready" and row.path and Path(row.path).exists():
+                return {
+                    "state": "ready",
+                    "protected": bool(row.protected),
+                    "size": row.size,
+                    "error_code": None,
+                }
+        for row in rows:
+            if row.state == "error":
+                return {
+                    "state": "unsupported",
+                    "protected": False,
+                    "size": row.size,
+                    "error_code": row.error_code,
+                }
+        return {"state": "missing", "protected": False, "size": None, "error_code": None}
+
+    def _protect(self, cache_key: str) -> None:
+        with self._session_factory() as session:
+            row = session.get(Thumbnail, cache_key)
+            if row is not None:
+                row.protected = True
+                session.commit()
+
     # ── path safety ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     def _validate_path(self, current_path: str) -> None:
         path = Path(current_path)
@@ -184,7 +255,9 @@ class ThumbnailService:
         }
 
     # ── persistence ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-    def _record_ready(self, cache_key: str, asset_id: str, size: int, rendered: dict) -> None:
+    def _record_ready(
+        self, cache_key: str, asset_id: str, size: int, rendered: dict, *, protected: bool = False
+    ) -> None:
         with self._session_factory() as session:
             session.merge(
                 Thumbnail(
@@ -197,6 +270,7 @@ class ThumbnailService:
                     width=rendered["width"],
                     height=rendered["height"],
                     format=rendered["format"],
+                    protected=protected,
                 )
             )
             try:
@@ -230,6 +304,10 @@ class ThumbnailService:
         if total <= quota:
             return
         files.sort(key=lambda f: f.stat().st_mtime)  # least-recently-used first
+        # Protected previews are evidence, not cache: an archived original cannot be
+        # re-rendered once its medium is away, so eviction never touches them.
+        protected = self._protected_paths()
+        files = [f for f in files if str(f) not in protected]
         keep_path = str(Path(keep)) if keep else None
         evicted: list[str] = []
         for f in files:
@@ -247,6 +325,16 @@ class ThumbnailService:
         if evicted:
             self._forget(evicted)
 
+    def _protected_paths(self) -> set[str]:
+        with self._session_factory() as session:
+            return {
+                row.path
+                for row in session.execute(
+                    select(Thumbnail).where(Thumbnail.protected.is_(True))
+                ).scalars()
+                if row.path
+            }
+
     def _forget(self, paths: list[str]) -> None:
         with self._session_factory() as session:
             rows = session.execute(
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_inventory_reconcile.py b/tests/integration/test_inventory_reconcile.py
index a03f9a1..a2ac5dc 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_inventory_reconcile.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_inventory_reconcile.py
@@ -167,7 +167,8 @@ def test_missing_file_is_flagged_not_deleted(
     assets = assets_by_id(make_factory(db_url))
     assert missing_id in assets  # not pruned
     assert assets[missing_id].missing_at is not None
-    assert assets[missing_id].availability_state == "active"
+    # Nothing explains the absence: this is not an offline archive medium (US06-03).
+    assert assets[missing_id].availability_state == "missing_unexpected"
 
 
 def test_reappearing_file_clears_missing(
@@ -186,6 +187,7 @@ def test_reappearing_file_clears_missing(
     inventory.scan(lib)
     assets = assets_by_id(make_factory(db_url))
     assert assets[asset_id].missing_at is None
+    assert assets[asset_id].availability_state == "active"
 
 
 def test_identity_and_state_durable_across_restart(
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_offline_assets.py b/tests/integration/test_offline_assets.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c49499
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/test_offline_assets.py
@@ -0,0 +1,377 @@
+"""Offline identity and review evidence (US06-03).
+
+An archived photo is not gone: it keeps its identity, its hashes, and enough
+evidence to be recognised in a duplicate cluster while its medium sits in a
+drawer. Every case here archives a *real* album through the real transfer, then
+takes the medium away by removing its marker — the same thing the service sees
+when an external disk is unplugged — and asks whether the application still tells
+the truth about where the bytes are.
+
+The distinction that matters throughout: an unmounted medium is
+``archived_offline`` (expected, harmless), a mounted medium with a hole in it is
+``missing_unexpected`` (needs a human). Confusing the two is how an archive
+quietly loses a photo.
+"""
+
+import shutil
+import uuid
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+from PIL import Image
+from sqlalchemy import select
+
+from photo_pipeline.api.app import create_app
+from photo_pipeline.config import Config
+from photo_pipeline.db import create_db_engine, create_session_factory, run_migrations
+from photo_pipeline.models import Asset, Thumbnail, UploadBatch, UploadItem
+from photo_pipeline.services.archive_transfer import ArchiveTransferService
+from photo_pipeline.services.archives import MARKER_NAME, ArchiveService
+from photo_pipeline.services.availability import (
+    ACTIVE,
+    ARCHIVED_OFFLINE,
+    ARCHIVED_ONLINE,
+    MISSING_UNEXPECTED,
+)
+from photo_pipeline.services.duplicates import ClusterState, DuplicateService, Method
+from photo_pipeline.services.hashing import sha256_file
+from photo_pipeline.services.inventory import InventoryService
+from photo_pipeline.services.thumbnails import PROTECTED_SIZE, ThumbnailService, ThumbnailUnavailable
+
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.phase_f  # part of the Phase F acceptance gate (US06-06)
+
+NOW = datetime(2026, 1, 1, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+
+
+# ── environment ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def _env(tmp_path):
+    (tmp_path / "data").mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+    lib = tmp_path / "lib"
+    lib.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+    archive = tmp_path / "archive"
+    archive.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+    config = Config.from_env(
+        {
+            "PHOTO_PIPELINE_DATA_DIR": str(tmp_path / "data"),
+            "PHOTO_PIPELINE_LIBRARY_ROOTS": str(lib),
+            "PHOTO_PIPELINE_ARCHIVE_FREE_SPACE_RESERVE_BYTES": "0",
+        }
+    )
+    run_migrations(config.database_url)
+    return config, create_session_factory(create_db_engine(config.database_url)), lib, archive
+
+
+def structured(path, seed, size=(256, 192)):
+    """A deterministic, decodable photo — previews and pHashes must be real."""
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    rng = np.random.default_rng(seed)
+    w, h = size
+    base = np.zeros((h, w, 3), dtype=np.uint8)
+    for _ in range(6):
+        x0 = int(rng.integers(0, w - 60))
+        y0 = int(rng.integers(0, h - 60))
+        base[y0 : y0 + 60, x0 : x0 + 60] = rng.integers(0, 256, 3)
+    grad = np.linspace(0, 120, w, dtype=np.uint8)
+    base[:, :, 0] = np.clip(base[:, :, 0].astype(int) + grad[None, :], 0, 255)
+    Image.fromarray(base).save(path, quality=95)
+    return path
+
+
+def resized_copy(src, dst, scale=0.5):
+    with Image.open(src) as image:
+        image.resize(
+            (int(image.width * scale), int(image.height * scale)), Image.LANCZOS
+        ).save(dst, quality=95)
+    return dst
+
+
+def _uploaded(sf, lib, album="rome", seeds=(1, 2)):
+    """A scanned album carrying the verified upload evidence archiving requires."""
+    folder = lib / album
+    for index, seed in enumerate(seeds):
+        structured(folder / f"{index}.jpg", seed)
+    result = InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+    with sf() as session:
+        batch_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+        session.add(
+            UploadBatch(
+                id=batch_id,
+                album=album,
+                folder=str(folder),
+                album_name=album,
+                state="succeeded",
+                preflight_token="v1:test",
+                outcome_state="verified",
+                created_at=NOW,
+            )
+        )
+        for path, asset_id in result.asset_ids.items():
+            session.add(
+                UploadItem(
+                    batch_id=batch_id,
+                    asset_id=asset_id,
+                    path=path,
+                    sha256=sha256_file(path),
+                    sha1="0" * 40,
+                    state="sent",
+                    outcome="uploaded",
+                )
+            )
+        session.commit()
+    return folder, result.asset_ids
+
+
+def _archive(sf, config, archive, albums=None):
+    service = ArchiveService(sf, config=config)
+    location = service.register("external", str(archive))
+    token = service.preflight(location["id"], albums)["token"]
+    transfers = ArchiveTransferService(sf, config=config)
+    plan = transfers.create(location["id"], albums, token=token)
+    transfers.apply(plan["id"])
+    return location
+
+
+def _unmount(archive):
+    """Take the medium away the way a real one goes: its marker stops answering."""
+    (archive / MARKER_NAME).rename(archive / f"{MARKER_NAME}.away")
+
+
+def _remount(archive):
+    (archive / f"{MARKER_NAME}.away").rename(archive / MARKER_NAME)
+
+
+def _assets(sf):
+    with sf() as session:
+        return {asset.id: asset for asset in session.scalars(select(Asset))}
+
+
+# ── availability ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def test_archived_assets_report_online_offline_and_missing(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib)
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    inventory = InventoryService(sf)
+
+    states = {a.availability_state for a in _assets(sf).values()}
+    assert states == {ARCHIVED_ONLINE}
+
+    _unmount(archive)
+    inventory.scan(lib)  # the album folder is gone from the active roots
+    assert {a.availability_state for a in _assets(sf).values()} == {ARCHIVED_OFFLINE}
+    assert all(a.missing_at is None for a in _assets(sf).values())  # not "missing"
+
+    _remount(archive)
+    inventory.scan(lib)
+    assert {a.availability_state for a in _assets(sf).values()} == {ARCHIVED_ONLINE}
+
+    # Mounted medium, absent file: that is not an offline archive, it needs a human.
+    victim = sorted(ids.values())[0]
+    with sf() as session:
+        asset = session.get(Asset, victim)
+        (archive / asset.archive_path).unlink()
+    inventory.scan(lib)
+    assert _assets(sf)[victim].availability_state == MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+
+
+def test_scan_never_prunes_or_flags_offline_assets(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib)
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    before = _assets(sf)
+    result = InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+
+    assert result.counts.get("missing") is None
+    after = _assets(sf)
+    assert set(after) == set(before) == set(ids.values())
+    for asset in after.values():
+        assert asset.availability_state == ARCHIVED_OFFLINE
+        assert asset.current_sha256 and asset.pixel_sha256  # hashes retained
+        assert asset.archive_location_id and asset.archive_path
+
+
+def test_active_missing_file_is_missing_unexpected_not_offline(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, _archive_root = _env(tmp_path)
+    structured(lib / "loose" / "a.jpg", 7)
+    ids = InventoryService(sf).scan(lib).asset_ids
+    asset_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+
+    (lib / "loose" / "a.jpg").unlink()
+    InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+
+    asset = _assets(sf)[asset_id]
+    assert asset.availability_state == MISSING_UNEXPECTED
+    assert asset.missing_at is not None
+
+
+# ── deduplication against archived originals ─────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def test_exact_copy_of_offline_asset_links_to_archived_canonical(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    folder, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1,))
+    archived_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+    original = next(iter(ids))
+    kept = tmp_path / "kept.jpg"
+    shutil.copy2(original, kept)
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    # The same photo turns up again in the active library while the disk is away.
+    (lib / "inbox").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    shutil.copy2(kept, lib / "inbox" / "again.jpg")
+    scan = InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+    new_id = scan.asset_ids[str(lib / "inbox" / "again.jpg")]
+    assert scan.occurrences[str(lib / "inbox" / "again.jpg")] == "copied"
+
+    clusters = DuplicateService(sf).detect().clusters
+    exact = [c for c in clusters if c["method"] == Method.EXACT.value]
+    assert len(exact) == 1
+    cluster = exact[0]
+    # Byte-identical: linked directly, and the archived original stays canonical.
+    assert cluster["state"] == ClusterState.DECIDED.value
+    assert cluster["canonical_asset_id"] == archived_id
+    assert _assets(sf)[new_id].canonical_asset_id == archived_id
+
+
+def test_fuzzy_copy_of_offline_asset_requires_review_and_names_the_medium(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    folder, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1,))
+    archived_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+    original = next(iter(ids))
+    variant_source = resized_copy(original, tmp_path / "small.jpg")
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    (lib / "inbox").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    shutil.copy2(variant_source, lib / "inbox" / "small.jpg")
+    InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+
+    duplicates = DuplicateService(sf)
+    clusters = duplicates.detect().clusters
+    perceptual = [c for c in clusters if c["method"] == Method.PERCEPTUAL.value]
+    assert len(perceptual) == 1
+
+    detail = duplicates.get_cluster(perceptual[0]["id"])
+    assert detail["state"] == ClusterState.OPEN.value  # never auto-decided
+    assert detail["requires_confirmation"] is True
+    assert detail["mount_required"] == ["external"]  # full-resolution needs the disk
+    archived = next(m for m in detail["members"] if m["asset_id"] == archived_id)
+    assert archived["availability_state"] == ARCHIVED_OFFLINE
+    assert archived["current_path"] is None
+    assert archived["archive_path"] and archived["evidence"]["phash"]
+    # The retained preview is what makes the offline member reviewable at all.
+    assert archived["preview"] == {"state": "ready", "protected": True, "size": PROTECTED_SIZE}
+
+
+# ── protected review evidence ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def test_protected_preview_survives_quota_and_serves_while_offline(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1,))
+    asset_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    thumbnails = ThumbnailService(sf, config)
+    served = thumbnails.generate(asset_id, PROTECTED_SIZE)
+    assert served.exists()  # rendered before the original left, not from the medium
+
+    # An aggressive quota may empty the cache, but not this evidence.
+    tight = ThumbnailService(sf, config.model_copy(update={"thumbnail_cache_quota_bytes": 1}))
+    tight._enforce_quota()
+    assert served.exists()
+    with sf() as session:
+        row = session.scalar(select(Thumbnail).where(Thumbnail.asset_id == asset_id))
+        assert row.protected is True
+    assert thumbnails.evidence(asset_id)["state"] == "ready"
+
+
+def test_offline_asset_without_preview_reports_unavailable(tmp_path):
+    """No preview and no medium is an honest 409, never a wrong picture."""
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1,))
+    asset_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    with sf() as session:
+        for row in session.scalars(select(Thumbnail).where(Thumbnail.asset_id == asset_id)):
+            session.delete(row)
+        session.commit()
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ThumbnailUnavailable):
+        ThumbnailService(sf, config).generate(asset_id, 256)
+
+    _remount(archive)  # mounted again: the archived original is readable
+    assert ThumbnailService(sf, config).generate(asset_id, 256).exists()
+
+
+def test_offline_asset_is_browsable_through_the_api(tmp_path):
+    """The browser sees an archived asset, its medium, and its preview — offline."""
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1,))
+    asset_id = next(iter(ids.values()))
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+
+    with TestClient(create_app(config)) as client:
+        client.post("/api/v1/inventory/scan")
+        listed = client.get("/api/v1/inventory/assets", params={"availability": ARCHIVED_OFFLINE})
+        assert listed.status_code == 200
+        item = next(row for row in listed.json()["items"] if row["id"] == asset_id)
+        assert item["current_path"] is None
+        assert item["archive_path"] == "rome/0.jpg"
+        assert item["missing"] is False
+
+        # Searching by the archived path still finds it.
+        found = client.get("/api/v1/inventory/assets", params={"q": "rome"}).json()
+        assert [row["id"] for row in found["items"]] == [asset_id]
+
+        preview = client.get(f"/api/v1/assets/{asset_id}/thumbnail", params={"size": 1280})
+        assert preview.status_code == 200
+        assert preview.headers["content-type"] == "image/webp"
+
+
+def test_offline_state_is_stable_across_restart(tmp_path):
+    config, sf, lib, archive = _env(tmp_path)
+    _, ids = _uploaded(sf, lib, seeds=(1, 2))
+    _archive(sf, config, archive)
+    _unmount(archive)
+    InventoryService(sf).scan(lib)
+    before = {
+        asset_id: (
+            asset.availability_state,
+            asset.archive_path,
+            asset.current_sha256,
+            asset.phash,
+        )
+        for asset_id, asset in _assets(sf).items()
+    }
+
+    # Restart: a fresh engine and session factory against the same database.
+    restarted = create_session_factory(create_db_engine(config.database_url))
+    after = {
+        asset_id: (
+            asset.availability_state,
+            asset.archive_path,
+            asset.current_sha256,
+            asset.phash,
+        )
+        for asset_id, asset in _assets(restarted).items()
+    }
+    assert after == before
+    assert set(after) == set(ids.values())
+
+    # And the medium coming back is picked up by the restarted process.
+    _remount(archive)
+    assert ArchiveService(restarted, config=config).locations()[0]["state"] == "online"
+    assert {a.availability_state for a in _assets(restarted).values()} == {ARCHIVED_ONLINE}
+    assert ACTIVE not in {a.availability_state for a in _assets(restarted).values()}
diff --git a/tests/story_traceability.json b/tests/story_traceability.json
index 4a35f07..144f4da 100644
--- a/tests/story_traceability.json
+++ b/tests/story_traceability.json
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@
       "tests/unit/test_archive_journal_states.py",
       "tests/integration/test_archive_transfer.py",
       "tests/integration/test_archive_recovery.py"
+    ],
+    "US06-03": [
+      "tests/integration/test_offline_assets.py"
     ]
   }
 }