arkistoyksikölle

An arkistoyksikkö, often translated as an archival unit or archival item, is a fundamental concept in archival science and practice. It refers to a single, distinct unit within an archival collection that is treated as an indivisible whole for the purposes of appraisal, arrangement, description, and preservation. An arkistoyksikkö can vary greatly in its physical form and content. It might be a single document, such as a letter, a report, or a photograph, or it could be a file containing multiple related documents. In some cases, an arkistoyksikkö might even encompass a small collection of objects or a digital file.

The identification and definition of arkistoyksiköt are crucial for effective archival management. They form the building blocks upon which larger archival fonds and series are constructed. Understanding the boundaries of an arkistoyksikkö helps archivists to accurately assess the historical, legal, and administrative significance of the records. This, in turn, informs decisions regarding retention, disposal, and access. The principle of provenance, which dictates that records should be kept in the order and context of their creation, is applied at the level of the arkistoyksikkö, ensuring that its original relationships with other units are maintained. Describing arkistoyksiköt with appropriate metadata allows users to locate and understand the information contained within them.