diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index ef0ee424..6f4bfd9e 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ macro(get_dll_from_lib dll_path lib_path)
         get_filename_component(lib_name ${lib} name)
 endmacro()
 
-set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 14)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
 if(WIN32)
     get_WIN32_WINNT(ver)
     add_definitions(-D_WIN32_WINNT=${ver} -DWNT -DWNT_WINDOW -DNOMINMAX)
diff --git a/libsrc/CMakeLists.txt b/libsrc/CMakeLists.txt
index 89dc88a5..eb67d688 100644
--- a/libsrc/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libsrc/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+add_subdirectory(core)
 add_subdirectory(general)
 add_subdirectory(gprim)
 add_subdirectory(linalg)
diff --git a/libsrc/core/CMakeLists.txt b/libsrc/core/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d49da46b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libsrc/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+add_definitions(-DNGINTERFACE_EXPORTS)
+add_library(ngcore OBJECT basearchive.cpp)
+
+set_target_properties(ngcore PROPERTIES POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE ON )
+
+install(FILES ngcore.hpp archive.hpp basearchive.hpp
+  DESTINATION ${NG_INSTALL_DIR_INCLUDE}/core COMPONENT netgen_devel
+)
diff --git a/libsrc/core/archive.hpp b/libsrc/core/archive.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..639102f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libsrc/core/archive.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+#ifndef NG_ARCHIVE_HPP
+#define NG_ARCHIVE_HPP
+
+namespace ngcore
+{
+  // BinaryOutArchive ======================================================================
+  class BinaryOutArchive : public Archive
+  {
+    std::shared_ptr<std::ostream> fout;
+    size_t ptr = 0;
+    enum { BUFFERSIZE = 1024 };
+    char buffer[BUFFERSIZE];
+  public:
+    BinaryOutArchive (std::shared_ptr<std::ostream> afout) : Archive(true), fout(afout) { ; }
+    BinaryOutArchive (std::string filename)
+      : BinaryOutArchive(std::make_shared<std::ofstream>(filename)) {}
+    virtual ~BinaryOutArchive () { FlushBuffer(); }
+
+    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d)
+    { return Write(d); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i)
+    { return Write(i); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i)
+    { return Write(i); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i)
+    { return Write(i); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i)
+    { return Write(i); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i)
+    { return Write(i); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b)
+    { return Write(b); }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (std::string & str)
+    {
+      if (ptr > 0) FlushBuffer();
+      int len = str.length();
+      fout->write (reinterpret_cast<char*>(&len), sizeof(int));
+      fout->write (&str[0], len);
+      return *this;
+    }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str)
+    {
+      if (ptr > 0) FlushBuffer();
+      int len = strlen (str);
+      fout->write (reinterpret_cast<char*>(&len), sizeof(int));
+      fout->write (&str[0], len);
+      return *this;
+    }
+    void FlushBuffer()
+    {
+      if (ptr > 0)
+        {
+          fout->write(&buffer[0], ptr);
+          ptr = 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+  private:
+    template <typename T>
+    Archive & Write (T x)
+    {
+      if (unlikely(ptr > BUFFERSIZE-sizeof(T)))
+        {
+          fout->write(&buffer[0], ptr);
+          * (T*) (&buffer[0]) = x;
+          ptr = sizeof(T);
+          return *this;
+        }
+      * (T*) (&buffer[ptr]) = x;
+      ptr += sizeof(T);
+      return *this;
+    }
+  };
+
+  // BinaryInArchive ======================================================================
+  class BinaryInArchive : public Archive
+  {
+    std::shared_ptr<std::istream> fin;
+  public:
+    BinaryInArchive (std::shared_ptr<std::istream> afin) : Archive(false), fin(afin) { ; }
+    BinaryInArchive (std::string filename)
+      : BinaryInArchive(std::make_shared<std::ifstream>(filename)) {}
+
+    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d)
+    { Read(d); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i)
+    { Read(i); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i)
+    { Read(i); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i)
+    { Read(i); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i)
+    { Read(i); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i)
+    { Read(i); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b)
+    { Read(b); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (std::string & str)
+    {
+      int len;
+      Read(len);
+      str.resize(len);
+      fin->read(&str[0], len);
+      return *this;
+    }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str)
+    {
+      int len;
+      Read(len);
+      str = new char[len+1];
+      fin->read(&str[0], len);
+      str[len] = '\0';
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (double * d, size_t n)
+    { fin->read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(d), n*sizeof(double)); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & Do (int * i, size_t n)
+    { fin->read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(i), n*sizeof(int)); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & Do (size_t * i, size_t n)
+    { fin->read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(i), n*sizeof(size_t)); return *this; }
+
+  private:
+    template<typename T>
+    inline void Read(T& val)
+    { fin->read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&val), sizeof(T)); }
+  };
+
+  // TextOutArchive ======================================================================
+  class TextOutArchive : public Archive
+  {
+    std::shared_ptr<std::ostream> fout;
+  public:
+    TextOutArchive (std::shared_ptr<std::ostream> afout) : Archive(true), fout(afout) { }
+    TextOutArchive (std::string filename) :
+      TextOutArchive(std::make_shared<std::ofstream>(filename.c_str())) { }
+
+    using Archive::operator&;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d)
+    { *fout << d << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i)
+    { *fout << i << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i)
+    { *fout << i << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i)
+    { *fout << i << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i)
+    { *fout << i << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i)
+    { *fout << int(i) << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b)
+    { *fout << (b ? 't' : 'f') << '\n'; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (std::string & str)
+    {
+      int len = str.length();
+      *fout << len << '\n';
+      fout->write(&str[0], len);
+      *fout << '\n';
+      return *this;
+    }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str)
+    {
+      int len = strlen (str);
+      *fout << len << '\n';
+      fout->write (&str[0], len);
+      *fout << '\n';
+      return *this;
+    }
+  };
+
+  // TextInArchive ======================================================================
+  class TextInArchive : public Archive
+  {
+    std::shared_ptr<std::istream> fin;
+  public:
+    TextInArchive (std::shared_ptr<std::istream> afin) : Archive(false), fin(afin) { ; }
+    TextInArchive (std::string filename)
+      : TextInArchive(std::make_shared<std::ifstream>(filename)) {}
+
+    using Archive::operator&;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d)
+    { *fin >> d; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i)
+    { *fin >> i; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i)
+    { *fin >> i; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i)
+    { *fin >> i; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i)
+    { *fin >> i; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i)
+    { int _i; *fin >> _i; i = _i; return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b)
+    { char c; *fin >> c; b = (c=='t'); return *this; }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (std::string & str)
+    {
+      int len;
+      *fin >> len;
+      char ch;
+      fin->get(ch); // '\n'
+      str.resize(len);
+      fin->get(&str[0], len+1, '\0');
+      return *this;
+    }
+    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str)
+    {
+      int len;
+      *fin >> len;
+      char ch;
+      fin->get(ch); // '\n'
+      str = new char[len+1];
+      fin->get(&str[0], len, '\0');
+      str[len] = 0;
+      return *this;
+    }
+  };
+}
+#endif // NG_ARCHIVE_HPP
diff --git a/libsrc/core/basearchive.cpp b/libsrc/core/basearchive.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1fcbe8b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libsrc/core/basearchive.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+
+#include "ngcore.hpp"
+
+namespace ngcore
+{
+  std::map<std::string, std::function<void*()>>& GetArchiveRegister()
+  {
+    static std::map<std::string, std::function<void*()>> type_register = {};
+    return type_register;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/libsrc/core/basearchive.hpp b/libsrc/core/basearchive.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a43c4bc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libsrc/core/basearchive.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+#ifndef NG_BASEARCHIVE_HPP
+#define NG_BASEARCHIVE_HPP
+
+namespace ngcore
+{
+  class Archive;
+
+  // Type trait to check if a class implements a 'void DoArchive(Archive&)' function
+  template<typename T>
+  struct has_DoArchive
+  {
+  private:
+    template<typename T2>
+    static constexpr auto check(T2*) ->
+      typename std::is_same<decltype(std::declval<T2>().DoArchive(std::declval<Archive&>())),void>::type;
+    template<typename>
+    static constexpr std::false_type check(...);
+    typedef decltype(check<T>(0)) type;
+  public:
+    static constexpr bool value = type::value;
+  };
+
+  std::map<std::string, std::function<void*()>>& GetArchiveRegister();
+
+  // Base Archive class
+  class Archive
+  {
+    bool is_output;
+    // how many different shared_ptr/pointer have been (un)archived
+    int shared_ptr_count, ptr_count;
+    // maps for archived shared pointers and pointers
+    std::map<void*, int> shared_ptr2nr, ptr2nr;
+    // vectors for storing the unarchived (shared) pointers
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<void>> nr2shared_ptr;
+    std::vector<void*> nr2ptr;
+  public:
+    Archive (bool ais_output) : is_output(ais_output), shared_ptr_count(0), ptr_count(0) { ; }
+    virtual ~Archive() { ; }
+
+    bool Output () { return is_output; }
+    bool Input () { return !is_output; }
+
+    // Pure virtual functions that have to be implemented by In-/OutArchive
+    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (std::string & str) = 0;
+    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str) = 0;
+
+
+    // Archive std classes ================================================
+    template<typename T>
+    Archive& operator & (std::complex<T>& c)
+    {
+      if(is_output)
+          (*this) << c.real() << c.imag();
+      else
+        {
+          T tmp;
+          (*this) & tmp;
+          c.real(tmp);
+          (*this) & tmp;
+          c.imag(tmp);
+        }
+      return (*this);
+    }
+    template<typename T>
+    Archive& operator & (std::vector<T>& v)
+    {
+      size_t size;
+      if(is_output)
+          size = v.size();
+      (*this) & size;
+      if(!is_output)
+        v.reserve(size);
+      Do(&v[0], size);
+      return (*this);
+    }
+    // Archive arrays =====================================================
+    template <typename T>
+    Archive & Do (T * data, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & data[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (double * d, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & d[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (int * i, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (long * i, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (size_t * i, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (short * i, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (unsigned char * i, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    virtual Archive & Do (bool * b, size_t n)
+    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & b[j]; }; return *this; };
+
+    // Archive a class implementing a (void DoArchive(Archive&)) method =======
+    template<typename T, typename=std::enable_if_t<has_DoArchive<T>::value>>
+    Archive& operator & (T& val)
+    {
+      val.DoArchive(*this); return *this;
+    }
+
+    // Archive shared_ptrs =================================================
+    template <typename T>
+    Archive& operator & (std::shared_ptr<T>& ptr)
+    {
+      if(Output())
+        {
+          // save -2 for nullptr
+          if(!ptr)
+            return (*this) << -2;
+          auto pos = shared_ptr2nr.find((void*) ptr.get());
+          // if not found store -1 and the pointer
+          if(pos == shared_ptr2nr.end())
+            {
+              shared_ptr2nr[(void*) ptr.get()] = shared_ptr_count++;
+              auto p = ptr.get();
+              return (*this) << -1 & p;
+            }
+          // if found store the position
+          return (*this) << pos->second;
+        }
+      else // Input
+        {
+          int nr;
+          (*this) & nr;
+          if(nr == -2)
+            ptr = nullptr;
+          else if (nr == -1)
+            {
+              T* p;
+              (*this) & p;
+              ptr = std::shared_ptr<T>(p);
+              nr2shared_ptr.push_back(ptr);
+            }
+          else
+            ptr = std::reinterpret_pointer_cast<T>(nr2shared_ptr[nr]);
+        }
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    // Archive pointers =======================================================
+    template <typename T>
+    Archive & operator& (T *& p)
+    {
+      if (Output())
+        {
+          // if the pointer is null store -2
+          if (!p)
+            {
+              int m2 = -2;
+              (*this) & m2;
+              return *this;
+            }
+          auto pos = ptr2nr.find( (void*) p);
+          // if the pointer is not found in the map create a new entry
+          if (pos == ptr2nr.end())
+            {
+              ptr2nr[(void*) p] = ptr_count++;
+              if(typeid(*p) == typeid(T))
+                if constexpr (std::is_constructible<T>::value)
+                               {
+                                 return (*this) << -1 & (*p);
+                               }
+                else
+                  throw std::runtime_error(std::string("Archive error: Class ") +
+                                           typeid(*p).name() + " does not provide a default constructor!");
+              else
+                {
+                  // We want this special behaviour only for our classes that implement DoArchive
+                  if constexpr(has_DoArchive<T>::value)
+                                {
+                                  if(GetArchiveRegister().count(typeid(*p).name()) == 0)
+                                    throw std::runtime_error(std::string("Archive error: Polimorphic type ")
+                                                             + typeid(*p).name()
+                                                             + " not registered for archive");
+                                  else
+                                    return (*this) << -3 << std::string(typeid(*p).name()) & (*p);
+                                }
+                  else
+                    throw std::runtime_error(std::string("Archive error: Class ")
+                                             + typeid(*p).name()
+                                             + " is polymorphic but not registered for archiving");
+                }
+            }
+          else
+            {
+              (*this) & pos->second;
+            }
+        }
+      else
+        {
+          int nr;
+          (*this) & nr;
+          // cout << "in, got nr " << nr << endl;
+          if (nr == -2)
+            {
+              p = nullptr;
+            }
+          else if (nr == -1)
+            {
+              if constexpr (std::is_constructible<T>::value)
+                             {
+                               p = new T;
+                               // cout << "create new ptr, p = " << p << endl;
+                               (*this) & *p;
+                               nr2ptr.push_back(p);
+                             }
+              else
+                throw std::runtime_error("Class isn't registered properly");
+
+            }
+          else if(nr == -3)
+            {
+              // We want this special behaviour only for our classes that implement DoArchive
+              if constexpr(has_DoArchive<T>::value)
+                            {
+                              std::string name;
+                              (*this) & name;
+                              p = reinterpret_cast<T*>(GetArchiveRegister()[name]());
+                              nr2ptr.push_back(p);
+                            }
+              else
+                throw std::runtime_error("Class isn't registered properly");
+            }
+          else
+            {
+              p = (T*)nr2ptr[nr];
+              // cout << "reuse ptr " << nr << ": " << p << endl;
+            }
+        }
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    // Write a read only variable
+    template <typename T>
+    Archive & operator << (const T & t)
+    {
+      T ht(t);
+      (*this) & ht;
+      return *this;
+    }
+  };
+
+  template<typename T>
+  void RegisterClassForArchive()
+  {
+    static_assert(std::is_constructible_v<T>, "Class registered for archive must be default constructible");
+    GetArchiveRegister()[std::string(typeid(T).name())] = []() -> void* { return new T; };
+  }
+}
+
+#endif // NG_BASEARCHIVE_HPP
diff --git a/libsrc/core/ngcore.hpp b/libsrc/core/ngcore.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e93a506c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libsrc/core/ngcore.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#ifndef NG_CORE_HPP
+#define NG_CORE_HPP
+
+// std includes
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <map>
+#include <type_traits>
+#include <functional>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <complex>
+
+
+#if defined(__GNUC__)
+  inline bool likely (bool x) { return __builtin_expect((x), true); }
+  inline bool unlikely (bool x) { return __builtin_expect((x), false); }
+#else
+  inline bool likely (bool x) { return x; }
+  inline bool unlikely (bool x) { return x; }
+#endif
+
+// own includes
+#include "basearchive.hpp"
+#include "archive.hpp"
+
+#endif // NG_CORE_HPP
diff --git a/libsrc/csg/csgeom.cpp b/libsrc/csg/csgeom.cpp
index 40dda44e..3226e538 100644
--- a/libsrc/csg/csgeom.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/csg/csgeom.cpp
@@ -324,6 +324,12 @@ namespace netgen
   }
 
 
+  void CSGeometry :: DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+  {
+    archive & surfaces & surf2prim & solids & toplevelobjects & userpoints & userpoints_ref_factor
+      & identpoints & boundingbox & identicsurfaces & isidenticto & ideps
+      & filename & spline_surfaces; // TODO: & splinecurves2d & splinecurves3d
+  }
 
   void CSGeometry :: SaveSurfaces (ostream & out) const
   {
diff --git a/libsrc/csg/csgeom.hpp b/libsrc/csg/csgeom.hpp
index f9266de4..ee9e1260 100644
--- a/libsrc/csg/csgeom.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/csg/csgeom.hpp
@@ -124,6 +124,11 @@ namespace netgen
       UserPoint() = default;
       UserPoint (Point<3> p, int _index) : Point<3>(p), index(_index) { ; }
       int GetIndex() const { return index; }
+      void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+      {
+        archive & index;
+        Point<3>::DoArchive(archive);
+      }
     };
     
   private:
@@ -198,6 +203,8 @@ namespace netgen
     void SetSplineCurve (const char * name, SplineGeometry<3> * spl);
     const SplineGeometry<2> * GetSplineCurve2d (const string & name) const;
     const SplineGeometry<3> * GetSplineCurve3d (const string & name) const;
+
+    void DoArchive(Archive& archive);
     
 
     void SetFlags (const char * solidname, const Flags & flags);
diff --git a/libsrc/csg/python_csg.cpp b/libsrc/csg/python_csg.cpp
index b99ea2d5..05ac4acc 100644
--- a/libsrc/csg/python_csg.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/csg/python_csg.cpp
@@ -360,37 +360,32 @@ However, when r = 0, the top part becomes a point(tip) and meshing fails!
 
   py::class_<CSGeometry, NetgenGeometry, shared_ptr<CSGeometry>> (m, "CSGeometry")
     .def(py::init<>())
-    .def("__init__", 
-                                           [](CSGeometry *instance, const string & filename)
-                                            {
-                                              cout << "load geometry";
-                                              ifstream ist(filename);
-                                              ParseCSG(ist, instance);
-                                              instance -> FindIdenticSurfaces(1e-8 * instance->MaxSize()); 
-                                            })
-    .def("__init__",
-                                           [](CSGeometry *instance, const py::list & solidlist)
-                                            {
-                                              cout << "csg from list";
-                                              new (instance) CSGeometry();
-                                              for (int i = 0; i < len(solidlist); i++)
-                                                {
-                                                  py::object obj = solidlist[i];
-                                                  cout << "obj " << i << endl;
-
-                                                  py::extract<shared_ptr<SPSolid>> solid(solidlist[i]);
-                                                  if(solid.check())
-                                                    {
-                                                      cout << "its a solid" << endl;
-                                                      solid()->AddSurfaces (*instance);
-                                                      solid()->GiveUpOwner();
-                                                      int tlonr = instance->SetTopLevelObject (solid()->GetSolid());
-                                                      instance->GetTopLevelObject(tlonr) -> SetMaterial(solid()->GetMaterial());
-                                                    }
-                                                }
-                                              instance -> FindIdenticSurfaces(1e-8 * instance->MaxSize()); 
-                                            })
-
+    .def(py::init([](const string& filename)
+                  {
+                    ifstream ist (filename);
+                    auto geo = make_shared<CSGeometry>();
+                    ParseCSG(ist, geo.get());
+                    geo->FindIdenticSurfaces(1e-8 * geo->MaxSize());
+                    return geo;
+                  }), py::arg("filename"))
+    .def(py::pickle(
+                    [](CSGeometry& self)
+                    {
+                      stringstream ss;
+                      self.Save(ss);
+                      cout << "pickle = " << endl << ss.str() << endl;
+                      return py::make_tuple(ss.str());
+                    },
+                    [](py::tuple state)
+                    {
+                      auto geo = make_shared<CSGeometry>();
+                      auto val = py::cast<string>(state[0]);
+                      cout << "unpickle = " << endl << val << endl;
+                      stringstream ss(py::cast<string>(state[0]));
+                      // geo->Load(ss);
+                      // geo->FindIdenticSurfaces(1e-8 * geo->MaxSize());
+                      return geo;
+                    }))
     .def("Save", FunctionPointer([] (CSGeometry & self, string filename)
                                  {
                                    cout << "save geometry to file " << filename << endl;
diff --git a/libsrc/csg/surface.hpp b/libsrc/csg/surface.hpp
index 5e9afbdf..39a6ceee 100644
--- a/libsrc/csg/surface.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/csg/surface.hpp
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ namespace netgen
     //@}
   public:
 
+    virtual void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      archive & inverse & maxh & name & bcprop & bcname
+        & p1 & p2 & ex & ey & ez;
+    }
+
     void SetName (const char * aname);
     const char * Name () const { return name; }
 
@@ -234,6 +240,9 @@ namespace netgen
 
   class Primitive
   {
+  protected:
+    Array<int> surfaceids;
+    Array<int> surfaceactive;
 
   public:
 
@@ -241,6 +250,10 @@ namespace netgen
 
     virtual ~Primitive();
 
+    virtual void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      archive & surfaceids & surfaceactive;
+    }
   
     /*
       Check, whether box intersects solid defined by surface.
@@ -299,9 +312,6 @@ namespace netgen
     virtual Surface & GetSurface (int i = 0) = 0;
     virtual const Surface & GetSurface (int i = 0) const = 0;
 
-    Array<int> surfaceids;
-    Array<int> surfaceactive;
-
     int GetSurfaceId (int i = 0) const;
     void SetSurfaceId (int i, int id);
     int SurfaceActive (int i) const { return surfaceactive[i]; }
@@ -329,6 +339,12 @@ namespace netgen
     OneSurfacePrimitive();
     ~OneSurfacePrimitive();
 
+    virtual void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      Surface::DoArchive(archive);
+      Primitive::DoArchive(archive);
+    }
+
     virtual INSOLID_TYPE PointInSolid (const Point<3> & p,
 				       double eps) const;
     virtual INSOLID_TYPE VecInSolid (const Point<3> & p,
diff --git a/libsrc/general/CMakeLists.txt b/libsrc/general/CMakeLists.txt
index 5faf7c6c..00c59ea2 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libsrc/general/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ set_target_properties( gen PROPERTIES POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE ON )
 install( FILES ngexception.hpp DESTINATION ${NG_INSTALL_DIR_INCLUDE} COMPONENT netgen_devel )
 
 install(FILES
-  archive_base.hpp array.hpp autodiff.hpp autoptr.hpp bitarray.hpp
+  array.hpp autodiff.hpp autoptr.hpp bitarray.hpp
   dynamicmem.hpp flags.hpp hashtabl.hpp mpi_interface.hpp myadt.hpp
   ngsimd.hpp mystring.hpp netgenout.hpp ngexception.hpp ngpython.hpp
   optmem.hpp parthreads.hpp profiler.hpp seti.hpp sort.hpp
diff --git a/libsrc/general/archive_base.hpp b/libsrc/general/archive_base.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 9e74b0e5..00000000
--- a/libsrc/general/archive_base.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,144 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef NGS_ARCHIVE_BASE
-#define NGS_ARCHIVE_BASE
-
-// copied from netgen
-
-#include <vector>
-#include <map>
-
-namespace ngstd
-{
-
-  class Archive
-  {
-    bool is_output;
-  public:
-    Archive (bool ais_output) : is_output(ais_output) { ; }
-    virtual ~Archive() { ; }
-    
-    bool Output () { return is_output; }
-    bool Input () { return !is_output; }
-
-    virtual Archive & operator & (double & d) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (int & i) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (long & i) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (size_t & i) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (short & i) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (unsigned char & i) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (bool & b) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (string & str) = 0;
-    virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str) = 0;
-
-    template <typename T>
-    Archive & Do (T * data, size_t n) 
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & data[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (double * d, size_t n) 
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & d[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (int * i, size_t n) 
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (long * i, size_t n)
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (size_t * i, size_t n) 
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (short * i, size_t n) 
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (unsigned char * i, size_t n)
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & i[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-    virtual Archive & Do (bool * b, size_t n)
-    { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & b[j]; }; return *this; };
-
-
-    // nvirtual Archive & Do (string * str, size_t n)
-    // { for (size_t j = 0; j < n; j++) { (*this) & str[j]; }; return *this; };
-    // virtual Archive & operator & (char *& str) = 0;
-
-
-    // archive a pointer ...
-
-    int cnt = 0;
-    std::map<void*,int> ptr2nr;
-    std::vector<void*> nr2ptr;
-
-    /*
-    // necessary for msvc ??? 
-    Archive & operator& (string* & ps)
-    {
-      return operator&<string> (ps);
-    }
-    */
-    
-    template <typename T>
-    Archive & operator& (T *& p)
-    {
-      if (Output())
-        {
-          if (!p)
-            {
-              int m2 = -2;
-              (*this) & m2;
-              return *this;
-            }
-          auto pos = ptr2nr.find( (void*) p);
-          if (pos == ptr2nr.end())
-            {
-              ptr2nr[p] = cnt;
-              int m1 = -1;
-              (*this) & m1;
-              cnt++;
-              (*this) & (*p);
-            }
-          else
-            {
-              (*this) & pos->second;
-            }
-        }
-      else
-        {
-          int nr;
-          (*this) & nr;
-          // cout << "in, got nr " << nr << endl;
-          if (nr == -2)
-            {
-              p = nullptr;
-            }
-          else if (nr == -1)
-            {
-              p = new T;
-              // cout << "create new ptr, p = " << p << endl;
-              (*this) & *p;
-              nr2ptr.push_back(p);
-            }
-          else
-            {
-              p = (T*)nr2ptr[nr];
-              // cout << "reuse ptr " << nr << ": " << p << endl;
-            }
-        }
-      return *this;
-    }
-
-
-
-    
-    template <typename T>
-    Archive & operator << (const T & t)
-    {
-      T ht(t);
-      (*this) & ht;
-      return *this;
-    }
-  };
-
-
-}
-
-
-#endif
diff --git a/libsrc/general/array.hpp b/libsrc/general/array.hpp
index ead43dac..8f8263e8 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/array.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/array.hpp
@@ -400,6 +400,19 @@ namespace netgen
       ownmem = false;
       return data;
     }
+
+    void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      if(archive.Output())
+        archive << size;
+      else
+        {
+          size_t s;
+          archive & s;
+          SetSize(s);
+        }
+      archive.Do(data, size);
+    }
     
   private:
 
@@ -778,30 +791,6 @@ namespace netgen
       if(in2.Contains(in1[i]) && in3.Contains(in1[i]))
 	out.Append(in1[i]);
   }
-
-
-
-
-  template <typename T, int BASE, typename TIND> 
-  ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, Array<T,BASE,TIND> & a)
-  {
-    if (archive.Output())
-      archive << a.Size();
-    else
-      {
-        size_t size;
-        archive & size;
-        a.SetSize (size);
-      }
-
-    /*
-    for (auto & ai : a)
-      archive & ai;
-    */
-    archive.Do (&a[BASE], a.Size());
-    return archive;
-  }  
-
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/libsrc/general/hashtabl.hpp b/libsrc/general/hashtabl.hpp
index 0898e58f..4d8fadc8 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/hashtabl.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/hashtabl.hpp
@@ -259,20 +259,13 @@ public:
   const T & GetData (const Iterator & it) const
   { return cont[it.BagNr()][it.Pos()]; }
 
-  ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+  void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
   {
     ar & hash & cont;
-    return ar;
   }    
   
 };
 
-  template <typename T>
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, INDEX_2_HASHTABLE<T> & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
-
-
 template <typename T> 
 inline ostream & operator<< (ostream & ost, const INDEX_2_HASHTABLE<T> & ht)
 {
@@ -436,24 +429,15 @@ public:
   { return cont[it.BagNr()][it.Pos()]; }
 
 
-  ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+  void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
   {
     ar & hash & cont;
-    return ar;
   }    
 
 
 };
 
 
-
-  template <typename T>
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, INDEX_3_HASHTABLE<T> & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
-
-
-
 template <typename T> 
 inline ostream & operator<< (ostream & ost, const INDEX_3_HASHTABLE<T> & ht)
 {
diff --git a/libsrc/general/myadt.hpp b/libsrc/general/myadt.hpp
index 7c4374d8..601a3da0 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/myadt.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/myadt.hpp
@@ -17,11 +17,15 @@
 #include "../include/mydefs.hpp"
 
 
+#include "../core/ngcore.hpp"
+namespace netgen
+{
+  using namespace ngcore;
+}
 #include "ngexception.hpp"
 #include "parthreads.hpp"
 // #include "moveablemem.hpp"
 #include "dynamicmem.hpp"
-#include "archive_base.hpp"
 
 #include "template.hpp"
 #include "array.hpp"
diff --git a/libsrc/general/symbolta.hpp b/libsrc/general/symbolta.hpp
index c246347f..b599ea42 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/symbolta.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/symbolta.hpp
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ public:
   /// Deletes symboltable
   inline void DeleteAll ();
 
+  void DoArchive(Archive& archive) { archive & names & data;}
+
   inline T & operator[] (int i) 
   { return data[i]; }
   inline const T & operator[] (int i) const
diff --git a/libsrc/general/table.cpp b/libsrc/general/table.cpp
index 6769e03c..c964c470 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/table.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/table.cpp
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ namespace netgen
 
 
   
-  ngstd::Archive & BASE_TABLE :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar, int elemsize)
+  void BASE_TABLE :: DoArchive (Archive & ar, int elemsize)
   {
     if (ar.Output())
       {
@@ -248,7 +248,6 @@ namespace netgen
             cnt += data[i].size*elemsize;
           }
       }
-    return ar;
   }    
 
   
diff --git a/libsrc/general/table.hpp b/libsrc/general/table.hpp
index e112e135..6a08b3dc 100644
--- a/libsrc/general/table.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/general/table.hpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ public:
 
   void SetElementSizesToMaxSizes ();
 
-  ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar, int elemsize);
+  void DoArchive (Archive & ar, int elemsize);
 };
 
 
@@ -238,21 +238,13 @@ public:
     return FlatArray<T> (data[i-BASE].size, (T*)data[i-BASE].col);
   }
 
-  ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+  void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
   {
-    return BASE_TABLE::DoArchive(ar, sizeof(T));
+    BASE_TABLE::DoArchive(ar, sizeof(T));
   }
 
 };
 
-  
-template <typename T, int BASE>
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, TABLE<T,BASE> & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-  
-
-
-
 template <class T, int BASE>
 inline ostream & operator<< (ostream & ost, const TABLE<T,BASE> & table)
 {
diff --git a/libsrc/gprim/geomobjects.hpp b/libsrc/gprim/geomobjects.hpp
index 388e9a54..ad215278 100644
--- a/libsrc/gprim/geomobjects.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/gprim/geomobjects.hpp
@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ namespace netgen
     const T & operator() (int i) const { return x[i]; }
 
     operator const T* () const { return x; }
+
+    void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      for(int i=0; i<D; i++)
+        archive & x[i];
+    }
   };
 
   template <int D, typename T>
@@ -117,6 +123,12 @@ namespace netgen
 
     operator const T* () const { return x; }
 
+    void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    {
+      for(int i=0; i<D; i++)
+        archive & x[i];
+    }
+
     T Length () const
     {
       T l = 0;
@@ -324,6 +336,9 @@ namespace netgen
 	  pmax(i) += dist;
 	}
     }
+
+    void DoArchive(Archive& archive)
+    { archive & pmin & pmax; }
   };
 
 
diff --git a/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp b/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
index 580a340a..33a596db 100644
--- a/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/include/nginterface_v2.hpp
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ namespace netgen
     void LoadMesh (istream & str);
     void SaveMesh (ostream & str) const;
     void UpdateTopology ();
-    void DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & archive);
+    void DoArchive (Archive & archive);
 
     virtual ~Ngx_Mesh();
 
diff --git a/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp b/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
index 5e2bbd34..fee63976 100644
--- a/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/interface/nginterface_v2.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ namespace netgen
     mesh -> Save (ost);
   }
 
-  void Ngx_Mesh :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & archive)
+  void Ngx_Mesh :: DoArchive (Archive & archive)
   {
     if (archive.Input()) mesh = make_shared<Mesh>();
     mesh->DoArchive(archive);
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/CMakeLists.txt b/libsrc/meshing/CMakeLists.txt
index e9e6e211..e4eb56d9 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ if(NOT WIN32)
         $<TARGET_OBJECTS:la>
         $<TARGET_OBJECTS:gprim>
         $<TARGET_OBJECTS:gen>
+        $<TARGET_OBJECTS:ngcore>
         )
 endif(NOT WIN32)
 
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.cpp b/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.cpp
index c93742fd..2291d365 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.cpp
@@ -1304,7 +1304,7 @@ namespace netgen
   }
 
 
-  void Mesh :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & archive)
+  void Mesh :: DoArchive (Archive & archive)
   {
     archive & dimension;
     archive & points;
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.hpp b/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.hpp
index 2de6d3ee..fe72de2a 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/meshclass.hpp
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ namespace netgen
 	DLL_HEADER void Merge (const string & filename, const int surfindex_offset = 0);
 
 
-    DLL_HEADER void DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & archive);
+    DLL_HEADER void DoArchive (Archive & archive);
     ///
 	DLL_HEADER void ImproveMesh (const MeshingParameters & mp, OPTIMIZEGOAL goal = OPT_QUALITY);
 
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.cpp b/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.cpp
index cdfa7c7c..baed182e 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.cpp
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.cpp
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ namespace netgen
     return *this;
   }
   
-  ngstd::Archive & Segment :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+  void Segment :: DoArchive (Archive & ar)
   {
-    return ar & pnums[0] & pnums[1] & pnums[2]
+    ar & pnums[0] & pnums[1] & pnums[2]
       & edgenr & singedge_left & singedge_right
       & si & cd2i & domin & domout & tlosurf
       & surfnr1 & surfnr2
@@ -2427,9 +2427,9 @@ namespace netgen
       bcn = &default_bcname;
   }
   
-  ngstd::Archive & FaceDescriptor :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+  void FaceDescriptor :: DoArchive (Archive & ar)
   {
-    return ar & surfnr & domin & domout & tlosurf & bcprop
+    ar & surfnr & domin & domout & tlosurf & bcprop
       & surfcolour.X() & surfcolour.Y() & surfcolour.Z()
       & bcname   
       & domin_singular & domout_singular ;
@@ -2482,7 +2482,7 @@ namespace netgen
     maxidentnr = 0;
   }
 
-    ngstd::Archive & Identifications :: DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+    void Identifications :: DoArchive (Archive & ar)
     {
       ar & maxidentnr;
       ar & identifiedpoints & identifiedpoints_nr;
@@ -2503,7 +2503,6 @@ namespace netgen
           for (auto & t : type)
             ar & (unsigned char&)(t);
         }
-      return ar;
     }    
 
   
diff --git a/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.hpp b/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.hpp
index 5fe1d8a6..e8737e93 100644
--- a/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.hpp
+++ b/libsrc/meshing/meshtype.hpp
@@ -171,13 +171,9 @@ namespace netgen
     enum { BASE = 1 };
 #endif  
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar) { return ar & i; }
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar) { ar & i; }
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, PointIndex & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
-  
   inline istream & operator>> (istream & ist, PointIndex & pi)
   {
     int i; ist >> i; pi = PointIndex(i); return ist;
@@ -247,14 +243,9 @@ namespace netgen
     SurfaceElementIndex & operator-- () { --i; return *this; }
     SurfaceElementIndex & operator+= (int inc) { i+=inc; return *this; }
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar) { return ar & i; }
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar) { ar & i; }
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, SurfaceElementIndex & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
-  
-
   inline istream & operator>> (istream & ist, SurfaceElementIndex & pi)
   {
     int i; ist >> i; pi = i; return ist;
@@ -337,19 +328,13 @@ namespace netgen
     static MPI_Datatype MyGetMPIType ( );
 #endif
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
     {
       ar & x[0] & x[1] & x[2] & layer & singular;
       ar & (unsigned char&)(type);
-      return ar;
     }
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, MeshPoint & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-  
-
-  
   inline ostream & operator<<(ostream  & s, const MeshPoint & pt)
   { 
     return (s << Point<3> (pt)); 
@@ -497,7 +482,7 @@ namespace netgen
     ///
     const PointGeomInfo & GeomInfoPiMod (int i) const { return geominfo[(i-1) % np]; }
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
     {
       short _np, _typ;
       bool _curved, _vis, _deleted;
@@ -511,7 +496,6 @@ namespace netgen
           visible = _vis; deleted = _deleted; }
       for (size_t i = 0; i < np; i++)
         ar & pnum[i];
-      return ar;
     }
 
     void SetIndex (int si) { index = si; }
@@ -630,9 +614,6 @@ namespace netgen
 #endif
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, Element2d & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
   ostream & operator<<(ostream  & s, const Element2d & el);
 
 
@@ -774,7 +755,7 @@ namespace netgen
     ///
     const PointIndex & PNumMod (int i) const { return pnum[(i-1) % np]; }
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar)
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar)
     {
       short _np, _typ;
       if (ar.Output())
@@ -784,7 +765,6 @@ namespace netgen
         { np = _np; typ = ELEMENT_TYPE(_typ); }
       for (size_t i = 0; i < np; i++)
         ar & pnum[i];
-      return ar;
     }
 
     ///
@@ -928,9 +908,6 @@ namespace netgen
     int hp_elnr;
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, Element & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-  
   ostream & operator<<(ostream  & s, const Element & el);
 
 
@@ -1049,12 +1026,9 @@ namespace netgen
 #else
     int GetPartition () const { return 0; }
 #endif
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar);
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar);
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, Segment & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-
   ostream & operator<<(ostream  & s, const Segment & seg);
 
 
@@ -1142,13 +1116,9 @@ namespace netgen
     // friend ostream & operator<<(ostream  & s, const FaceDescriptor & fd);
     friend class Mesh;
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar);
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar);
   };
 
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, FaceDescriptor & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-  
-
   ostream & operator<< (ostream  & s, const FaceDescriptor & fd);
 
  
@@ -1516,12 +1486,8 @@ namespace netgen
 
     DLL_HEADER void Print (ostream & ost) const;
 
-    ngstd::Archive & DoArchive (ngstd::Archive & ar);
+    void DoArchive (Archive & ar);
   };
-
-  inline ngstd::Archive & operator & (ngstd::Archive & archive, Identifications & mp)
-  { return mp.DoArchive(archive);   }
-  
 }