Arkistokontekstien

Arkistokontekstien refers to the contextual information surrounding archival materials. This encompasses the original purpose of their creation, the circumstances under which they were produced, and their relationship to other records. Understanding these contexts is crucial for accurate interpretation and use of archival documents. For example, a letter's context might include its author, recipient, the date it was written, and the broader historical events it relates to.

The principle of provenance dictates that archival records should be kept together with other records from the same creator or source. This principle inherently supports the preservation of archival context. By maintaining the original order and grouping of records, their contextual links are preserved, making them more meaningful. Archivists play a vital role in identifying, preserving, and describing these contextual elements.

Without proper contextual information, archival records risk misinterpretation or loss of their historical significance. For instance, a photograph without information about when, where, and by whom it was taken would have limited research value. Researchers and users of archives rely heavily on the contextual data provided by archivists to understand the authenticity, reliability, and meaning of the materials they consult. This contextual knowledge is often documented in finding aids and other archival descriptions.