ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Archival science

Archival science is like taking care of your toys and keeping them in a special place so that you can find them easily whenever you want to play with them again.

Archivists are like grown-ups who take care of important papers and things that are really old and valuable so that they don't get lost, damaged, or forgotten. They keep them in a special place called an archive where they organize, preserve, and make them available for people who want to learn about history, research, or just admire them.

The archive could be a room, a building, or even a website where you can find things like letters, diaries, photographs, maps, newspapers, books, and other interesting stuff that tell stories about people, places, and events that happened a long time ago.

Archivists use special tools and techniques to protect and conserve the materials they have in their care. For example, they use acid-free folders and boxes to store fragile documents and photographs, they use temperature and humidity control to prevent mold and insect infestations, and they make digital copies of old films and recordings to preserve them for future generations.

Archival science is really cool because it helps us understand where we came from, who we are, and where we're going. It's like going on a time-travel adventure to explore different eras and cultures, and learn from the experience of others.