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The mysterious origin of the archives: Why are they called "organic secretions"
Archives are not just a simple accumulation of documents, they carry historical value and record the lives of individuals or organizations. We often ask, where do these files come from? What is the deep meaning of their existence? Archives are defined in many ways; they can be historical records in any medium, or they can be the physical facilities in which these materials are stored. As we delve deeper into the world of archives, we find that they are metaphorically compared to “organic secretions.” This is not only a fascinating description, but also a profound insight into the nature of archives.
Professional archivists and historians generally believe that archives are records that arise naturally as a result of day-to-day legal, business, administrative, or social activities.
The origins of archives can be traced back to the early stages of human society, when people began to store and organize information. Historians have discovered extensive archives of clay tablets at urban sites around the third and second millennium BC, such as Ebla and Marley, which provide valuable insights into ancient civilizations.
Archives are compared to "organic secretions", implying that their essence is the result of natural generation rather than deliberately created documents.
The evolution of archives not only reflects the development of culture, but also carries the changes in government and society. As time went by, the scope of the archive expanded. Starting from the ancient Greek "arkheion", this concept has represented the residence where the ruler kept important documents. Later, this Begriff (word) gradually expanded into a symbol of public records and city hall. Nowadays, the definition of archives has covered various types of records, including academic archives, business archives, government archives, etc.
To further explore the future of archives, let’s look at the combination of archives management and technology. With the advancement of digital technology, traditional paper archives are gradually transformed into digital archives, and their preservation and organization methods are also constantly evolving. For example, the rise of online archives means the preservation and future use of huge amounts of data. For example, some important websites and databases have dedicated personnel responsible for regular archiving.
The research and discussion of archives is the focus of the field of digital humanities. The process of online archives has brought human information preservation methods to a new peak.
For the groups that use archives, historians, legal experts, and even the general public constitute the users of archives. These people can dig out the historical truth and the roots of culture through archives. Each archive is like a witness to the past. Whether it is a personal life story or the history of a social movement, it is preserved and passed on.
In addition to academic archives, archives of many companies are also extremely important sources of information. For example, many well-known companies, such as Coca-Cola, Motorola and Levi's, have their own dedicated historical archives. These archives not only record the development of these companies, but also provide guidance and reference for young corporate culture and brand building.
In a sense, archives are part of the history of companies, governments and individuals, and are also an important basis for shaping their images.
However, different types of archives present a variety of challenges and opportunities, especially in terms of conservation and management. The cultural protection of archives requires not only the proper management of the physical environment, but also international and domestic collaboration. For example, organizations such as UNESCO and Blue Shield International are committed to protecting cultural property from the effects of war and natural disasters. This not only protects culture, but also protects the continuation of human history.
In many places, the materials stored in archives are not only books or images, but also hidden stories behind them. These stories are of great significance to contemporary society and future development. In today's digital age, archive preservation methods are also constantly improving. The introduction of new technologies such as online archives and digital storage has undoubtedly opened up new horizons for the preservation and utilization of archives.
The existence of archives is of great value for grasping the past, understanding the present and predicting the future. They are not only a collection of information, but also a continuation of culture. In today's era of data expansion, have you ever thought about how many unknown stories and histories are hidden behind these seemingly ordinary files?
