HTTP layered reconstruction is disclosed. A database is queried to identify a location of a previously reconstructed HTML artifact file or packet data of a HTML file in a repository that stores packet data captured from a network. The reconstructed HTML file is analyzed. Links to external files are identified and the database is queried to identify a location of previously reconstructed artifact files or packet data of associated external files. The external files are reconstructed, as needed. A web page is then reconstructed based on the reconstructed HTML file and reconstructed external files, presenting a view of the web page as it originally appeared to a user. A user may specify which external file types to include and/or not include. New versions of external files may be obtained and indicated in the reconstructed web page when associated artifact files or packet data are not stored within the repository.