Dokumenterne

Dokumenterne is a Danish term that translates to "the documents" and is used as both a descriptive phrase in archival science and as a proper title in cultural productions. In Danish archives and libraries, the plural definite form dokumenterne is commonly used to refer to the set of primary-source materials that are stored, indexed, and made available for research. The concept covers written records, official reports, correspondence, images, and other documentary evidence, and it is typically organized by provenance, period, topic, and format.

In historiography and archival practice, researchers distinguish between documents (dokumenter) and the collection as a whole (dokumenterne), which provides the evidentiary basis for interpretations of the past. The term also appears as a title in documentary media and exhibitions. When used as a title, Dokumenterne signals a focus on documentary evidence, source criticism, and transparent sourcing. Such works often present documents alongside commentary and context to illuminate historical narratives and to foreground the process of documentary inquiry rather than solely presenting narrative conclusions.

The usage of the term is generally neutral and descriptive, though it can carry stylistic or institutional connotations depending on the project, country, and language of publication. See also archival science, primary sources, documentary film, publishing. Further reading includes guides on archival description and source criticism for Danish collections.