archivesphysical
Archivesphysical is a term used to refer to the tangible, physical holdings maintained by an archival institution. It encompasses diverse material types accumulated for their documentary, evidentiary, or cultural value, and is studied within the broader field of archival science, alongside born-digital records and digitized surrogates.
Materials commonly designated as archivesphysical include manuscripts, correspondence, ledgers, maps, architectural plans, photographs, audiovisual media, artifacts,
The significance lies in their authenticity as primary sources and their potential for scholarly interpretation. Archivists
Preservation and handling are central to archivesphysical. Practices include climate-controlled storage, archival-quality containers, acid-free folders, proper
Access and discovery rely on cataloging, finding aids, and physical location data. Archival description often uses
Governance involves custody, access restrictions, copyright, privacy, and donor or institutional policies. Archival institutions balance openness
Contemporary challenges for archivesphysical include space pressures, funding constraints, and the need to integrate with born-digital
In practice, archivesphysical is part of a continuum of archival preservation and access.