Arkistoyksikkö

An arkistoyksikkö, or archival unit, is a fundamental concept in archival science. It represents a basic physical or logical grouping of records that are treated as a single unit for the purpose of arrangement, description, and preservation. The specific nature of an arkistoyksikkö can vary significantly depending on the type of records and the archival institution's practices.

For instance, a physical arkistoyksikkö might be a folder containing correspondence, a box of photographic negatives, a bound volume of ledgers, or even a single reel of microfilm. In digital archives, an arkistoyksikkö could correspond to a digital file, a collection of related files, or a specific database entry. The key characteristic is that these items are kept together and managed as one entity.

The purpose of defining an arkistoyksikkö is to provide structure and order within an archive. It facilitates the retrieval of information, the application of preservation treatments, and the creation of finding aids. Archivists establish provenance and arrange records into series, and then further subdivide these series into arkistoyksiköitä. This hierarchical organization allows for efficient management and access to the historical documentation entrusted to the archive. Understanding the concept of an arkistoyksikkö is crucial for anyone working with or researching archival materials.