The digital file: modernization and access

The history of archives is, in many ways, a chronicle of human effort to preserve memory and knowledge over time. From the clay tablets of Mesopotamia to the digital documents we store in the cloud today, the desire to preserve information has been a constant throughout civilization. In this context, the modernization of archives and digital access emerges as a revolutionary phenomenon that transforms not only the way we preserve documentary heritage but also how we understand and share it.

Traditionally, archives have been the heart of the functioning of administration, justice, and everyday life. In 16th century Spain, for example, the General Archive of Simancas became a fundamental pillar for the control and management of the vast Spanish Empire. This archive, which housed crucial documentation about the administration of the territories, not only facilitated governance but also became a symbol of the centralization of power under the Catholic Monarchs and their successors. However, access to these archives was limited to an elite, meaning that much of the population did not have the opportunity to explore their own history.

Over the centuries, the importance of archives solidified, but the need to democratize access to information also emerged. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution and the rise of public education began to transform this dynamic. The creation of public libraries and the gradual opening of archives to researchers and citizens marked a significant shift in how historical knowledge was understood. Despite this, physical documents remained the norm, which limited accessibility and maintained certain physical and administrative barriers.

The 20th century brought with it technical advances that revolutionized the management...