The development of archival science as a scholarly discipline

Following remarks on terminology and definition the paper begins with a historical retrospective giving a short description and analysis of the stages of development of archival science since the 16th century. It centers on the emancipation of theoretical and applied archival science to an independent discipline of arts regarding research and doctrine during the last 50 years. It investigates the aims of cognition, objects (contents and methodical structure), methods and results of research conducted up to now, then the channels of scientific communication and doctrine. Furthermore in treats the importance of interdisciplinary orientation, the reciprocal effects of archival science and the description of the profession as well as the relationship between regional and global elements in theoretical and applied archival science. The paper ends by referring to some current desiderata of research and the roll of ICA in the further development of archival science.