arkistoyksiköstä

An arkistoyksikkö, often translated as an archival unit or archival item, is the basic physical or logical unit of arrangement in an archival context. It represents a discrete collection of records that are treated as a single entity for the purpose of organization, description, and preservation. This unit can vary significantly in size and form, ranging from a single document such as a letter or a photograph, to a file folder containing multiple related documents, or even an entire box of records.

The concept of an arkistoyksikkö is fundamental to archival science and practice. It allows archivists to manage, control, and provide access to large volumes of historical material in a systematic and efficient manner. When archivists process a collection, they often group related documents into archival units based on their subject matter, creator, or function. This grouping facilitates the creation of finding aids and other descriptive tools that help researchers locate information.

The integrity of an arkistoyksikkö is important for maintaining the context and evidentiary value of the records it contains. Disassembly or unauthorized alteration of these units can compromise the authenticity and reliability of the archival material. Therefore, strict procedures are usually in place to ensure that archival units are preserved and handled appropriately throughout their lifecycle. The definition and boundaries of an arkistoyksikkö are determined by the archival arrangement and description principles applied to a specific fonds or collection.