Originalquellen

Originalquellen, in German scholarly usage, designate the original documents and artifacts that provide direct evidence about a subject. They are the raw materials of research, as opposed to secondary sources that interpret, summarize, or evaluate those materials. Originalquellen include written documents such as manuscripts, letters, official records, contracts, and decrees; early print editions when relevant; oral testimonies; visual sources such as photographs, drawings, and films; artifacts like tools, coins, and monuments; and scientific data sets or field notes. The common aim is to recover information from a time, place, or group with minimal intermediary interpretation.

In practice, Originalquellen require careful handling and critical analysis. Researchers assess provenance, dating, authenticity, and context, distinguish between original text and later copies or editions, and often consult multiple sources to corroborate evidence. Translations and editions can introduce distortions, so contemporaneous or critical editions are preferred when available.

Access and preservation: Originalquellen are stored in archives, libraries, museums, or private collections. Preservation challenges include material decay, bias in recordkeeping, and copyright restrictions. Digitization and metadata standards improve availability while reducing handling risks.

Impact: The study of Originalquellen underpins historical interpretation, philology, archaeology, and other disciplines. They enable scholars to reconstruct events, practices, languages, and social structures with transparency about sources and limitations. In education, engagement with originals trains critical reading and appreciation for evidence.