Archiving objects in a database environment

A method is provided for processing a query. In some embodiments, the method includes creating a historical schema defining an ordered set of fields based on a current schema of an object and a field modification of the current schema. The method includes inserting, based on the field modification, a new field at an end of the historical schema and archiving records into a second storage device. The method includes receiving a query, which includes a command specifying a subset of fields and which indicates a non-current field. The method includes searching in the second storage device for archive records having a second schema including the subset of fields and the non-current field. The first and second schemas follow the field order in accordance with the historical schema. The method further includes accessing the subset of fields and the non-current field in accordance with the command.