Archival Institutions Research Articles

Science Archives: A Literature Review and International Projects

ABSTRACT The connection between ‘archives’ and ‘science’ is not immediately apparent, but scientists experience this relationship in a particular way. However, this link materialises in ‘science archives’, which began gaining importance as scientific activity took on a more prominent role in society, particularly over the last four decades. This research aims to establish the context between ‘archives’ and ‘science’, which gave rise to ‘science archives’, define this type of archive, understand what kind of records they preserve, and, finally, present some of the projects and initiatives surrounding this type of collection. To achieve this, a narrative literature review was conducted, developing qualitative research based on documentary investigation. The results reveal three main types of archives: archives of scientific institutions (laboratories and academies), personal archives of scientists (not considered here), and archives of science management institutions.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumours with lipomatous and cartilaginous differentiation: A diagnostic pitfall.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm predominantly affecting adults characterised by a multinodular growth pattern and the presence of a fibrous pseudocapsule with areas of ossification. Prompted by the recognition of a non-ossifying ossifying fibromyxoid tumour with lipomatous differentiation which caused diagnostic difficulty, we sought to further explore cases of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour with non-osseous heterologous elements. A search of our institutional and consultation archives revealed three additional cases that demonstrated lipomatous components and two cases with cartilaginous differentiation. RNA-sequencing revealed fusions involving PHF1 (n = 4) or EPC1 (n = 1) in all (five of five) cases tested, including EPC1::PHC1 and JAZF1::PHF1 fusions, which have not been reported before in ossifying fibromyxoid tumour. These six cases expand the histomorphological spectrum of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour, introducing lipomatous differentiation as a hitherto undocumented feature. Awareness of these rare variants will ensure appropriate diagnosis and clinical management.

Reckoning with the Legacy of Land-Grant University Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections as Ventures of Pioneer Veneration

Land-grant colleges and universities in the United States, and by extension their libraries and archives, seek to uphold a three-part mission of teaching, research, and service, while also focusing on equality of access, regardless of class. The admirability of that mission, however, is tempered by “genesis amnesia,” where, as Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron say, “societies cover up or erase the origins of policies or institutions in order to obfuscate the social constructions that underlie them.” Other former settler colonies, such as Canada, maintain similarly structured and afflicted colleges and universities. For many institutions, the terms “land-grant,” or in Canadian contexts “land-endowed” or “land-financed,” act as a veneer, covering up and at times venerating an extractive and traumatic process by which Indigenous peoples were dispossessed of their lands. In this reflective case study, we define pioneer veneration as a symptom of colonialism and describe recent efforts to challenge it within our own library and archives. Using two collections containing Indigenous knowledges but not (primarily) Indigenous belongings, we explore our attempts to challenge pioneer veneration and seek out more impactful and purposefully reparative avenues of service to Indigenous patrons and stakeholders. By specifically defining the term pioneer veneration and discussing our institution’s effort to counter it in two specific collections, we hope to expand the lens of the types of collections that can be part of decolonization work and offer some replicable examples of work that redresses white supremacy and colonialism in institutional archives.

The Hoover Institution Library and Archives Carpatho-Russian Miscellanea Collection and F.S. Mansvetov

ABSTRACT This article provides an overview of the Hoover Institution Library and Archives (HILA) historic collections and introduces readers to the Carpatho-Russian Miscellanea Collection as a case study of a nationally focused collection development strategy during the interwar period. The article also examines the role of Fedor Severianovich Mansvetov (1886–1967) in planning, creating, and developing this collection, and describes his role at the Hoover War Library, as it was called between from 1922–1938.

A child opportunity index in Italy: a pilot proposal

BackgroundThe Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a new and innovative tool designed to assess the environment in which children grow up, offering a broad evaluation of the opportunities available to them in different neighborhoods. This initiative aims to ensure improvements in children’s living conditions and future health outcomes.MethodsThe study was performed in the cities of Palermo and Rome. Our Italian COI consists of three main domains: education, health and environment, and economy, each subdivided into specific indicators. We collected information, when available, useful for our indicators from institutional sites and municipal archives. Furthermore, in the city of Rome, we distributed a questionnaire through local pediatricians, collecting data in 2 randomly chosen neighborhoods with questions on children’s health and quality of life, proposing an initial approach that, when implemented using data provided by the government and public and private health institutions, aims to evaluate the correlation between socio-economic opportunities and the psycho-physical health of children, as demonstrated in the literature.ResultsAs a result, many aspects, such as the rate of air pollution or the illegal occupation of houses, were not taken into consideration. We therefore consider our COI proposal only a starting model that will have to be implemented once all the necessary information has been obtained. However, what can be deduced from this first descriptive study is how the opportunities in different neighborhoods are not the same for all children. The number of educational opportunities as well as the number of environmental opportunities differs between the various districts and is not homogeneous between different cities or within the same city.ConclusionsIn conclusion, it is not simple to analyze in a scientific manner the child’s health impact of living in different areas. The COI could be a useful and simple tool that can give us this information. Pediatricians could collaborate with institutions to implement intervention plans and to reduce existing differences, social and health inequalities. Future studies will have to implement this pilot study to create and validate an Italian model of COI to be used as a useful tool in children’s assistance.

Documenting disaster in Yogyakarta

Background of the study: The documenting of disasters through oral history programs carried out by educational institutions, archival institutions, memory institutions, and archival activists in the last few decades has begun to develop. The factors that have strongly led to the emergence of this phenomenon refer to the awareness of the importance of preserving information and historical awareness related to the shaping of memory. Purpose: This study analyzes the contribution of oral history archives in forming social memory related to the Yogyakarta earthquake on May 27th, 2006, in a more communicative and creative dimension. Method: This research is qualitative research conducted through interviews, observations, and literature studies Findings: The Yogyakarta earthquake on May 27, 2006, has been placed in social memory through oral history archives and media reports that are remembered in social reality. Oral history archives are also presented creatively and collaboratively as a form of public history through Archival Dioramas at the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Arsip Daerah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. The results of victims' experiences in oral history re-interviews can be analyzed in the context of the resilience of social memory. Conclusion: The emergence of digital equipment impacts people's interest, awareness, and motivation to engage in disaster documentation, shaping social memory in Yogyakarta.

Records and archives legislation in Vietnam

Background of the study: This paper consists of two parts. The first part provides the background of recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam. The second part discusses the current status of recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam. Purpose: This research aims to examine the elements of existing records and archives legislation in Vietnam by applying the ICA Guidelines: Principle for Archives and Records Legislation (2004) as a framework to analyse a crucial insight of the laws’ element. Method: The research type is a qualitative research that involves non-numerical data which is literature to gather an in-depth understanding of a case study of a specific country. Findings: The findings indicate that some elements are mandated in the existing laws such as definition of records and archives, scope of the legislation, establishment, responsibilities, and structure of the archival institution, advisory body, reporting responsibility, national archival coordination, records management, disposal, transfer of archives, access, and preservation whereas inalienability and imprescriptibly of public records and archives, acquiring records from the private sector, and sanctions are elements that can be revised in the future. Conclusion: To develop the recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam, it is suggested that (1) the laws should distinguish the terms of document, records, and archives to avoid misunderstanding and confusion for recordkeeping practices, (2) they should add more texts on managing electronic public records of government agencies, and (3) they should be coherent to Law on Access to Information 2016 to provide access to the citizens.

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of 15 Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with High-Grade Non-anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma.

High-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are uncommon and typically diagnosed in the sixth to seventh decade of life. These tumors are rare in the pediatric (≤ 18 years old) and young adult (19-21 years old) populations. The molecular landscape of pediatric and young adult thyroid neoplasia has been suggested to be enriched inDICER1 gene alterations. Our intent was to evaluate pediatric and young adult high-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas for driver mutations. Thyroid carcinomas involving individuals under the age of 21 years were retrieved from our institutional archives. The patient population included 13 females and 2 males aged 9-20 years. Six patients were aged 9-16 years and nine patients were aged 19-20 years. The carcinomas were classified as poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) (n = 6) and differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) (n = 9). Two were poorly differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinomas, and two were poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas. A well-differentiated component was not identified in 2 PDTCs. The DHGTCs were subclassified as follicular thyroid carcinoma (n = 4), classic subtype papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 4), and oncocytic thyroid carcinoma (n = 1). Molecular evaluation revealed one differentiated high-grade follicular thyroid carcinoma, two poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas, and two PDTCs with DICER1 gene alterations. A DICER1-altered PDTC, DICER1-altered poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma, and a poorly differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinoma had TP53 gene alterations. BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive in two cases. PanTRK IHC was positive in two cases, one of which had a confirmed SQSTM1::NTRK3 gene fusion. Immunohistochemistry for PTEN showed loss of expression in two tumors, one of which had a loss of function PTEN germline alteration. Clinical follow-up was available for 14 patients (range 24-347 months, median 101 months). Four patients had local/regional recurrences, and one patient had distant recurrences (bones and liver). At last, follow-up 10 patients were alive with no evidence of disease, 1 was alive with disease, 1 was alive with an unknown status, 1 died of disease, and 1 died of unknown causes. In summary, we report 15 additional cases of pediatric and young adult high-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, with a subset harboring DICER1 (n = 5), NTRK (n = 2), and PTEN (n = 2) gene alterations. In this limited case series, two patients were dead at the last follow-up. Whether these findings are consistent within this patient population remains to be addressed as more patient series are published.

Fate of nondiagnostic thyroid fine needle aspirations.

Thyroid nodules may be detected during the workup of thyroid hormone abnormalities and as incidental findings during unrelated imaging studies. The diagnosis of a thyroid nodule is mainly established by performing fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound guidance. Thyroid nodules are classified as nondiagnostic, defined in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology as samples with excess blood, cyst fluid only, and lack of thyroid follicular cells. The current study evaluates a series of nondiagnostic FNAs to assess whether repeat sampling improves yield and what patient management, and outcomes are after a nondiagnostic FNA. Thyroid FNAs from 2016 to 2023 were retrieved from our institution archives. All cases were performed under ultrasound guidance and with rapid on-site evaluation. Cases were assigned the Bethesda System Category. Nondiagnostic FNAs were further reviewed for repeat FNA procedures, potential molecular testing, or diagnostic resections. In total 3104 thyroid FNAs were reviewed, with 153 (4.9%) being nondiagnostic. Of the 154 FNAs, there were 129 patients with an average age of 60 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:3.2. Of the 130 patients, there were 50 patients who underwent 55 repeat FNAs. Thirty-seven (67%) of the repeats were benign, 13 (24%) were nondiagnostic again, and 5 (9%) were atypia of undetermined significance (AUS). Molecular testing was performed on repeat FNAs diagnosed AUS. Four cases showed no mutations and had a high likelihood of being benign. One case did have an NRAS Q61R mutation, and resection revealed a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. Seventeen (13% of all cases) with nondiagnostic FNA were resected. Twelve (71%) thyroidectomies showed benign adenomatous nodules. The remainder showed incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (0.1 cm), an infarcted follicular adenoma, a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features, and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (2×). Thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic cytology are reassuring of being highly likely a benign nodule. Only 5 of the 55 (9%) repeat FNAs yielded abnormalities, with only one of those being truly a follicular neoplasm (confirmed by molecular testing and resection). No primary thyroid malignancies have been identified in follow-up (repeat FNA or surgery). Clinical and ultrasound follow-up may be more appropriate management for nondiagnostic thyroid FNAs.

Electronic publications of archival institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and features of the developed Е-Doc Complex website

At the present time, electronic publication of archival documents is a modern high-profile way to use them and satisfy information needs of the society and researchers, as well as to popularize the documentary heritage. Publications of archival institutions on the Internet imply a multi-faceted practice, which includes development of search tools and reference mechanisms for collections, providing digital copies of archival documents on certain topics. Archival institutions create various types of electronic publications, namely databases, online exhibitions, collections of archival materials. Thus, currently, electronic archaeography is a promising research area due to the active advancements in the discipline’s practical applications. Publication of collections of archival documents is the most problematic issue among all types of documentary publication in electronic form. The purpose of the article is to analyze the main types of documentary publications provided by archival institutions in the digital environment and to reveal the specifics of the developed software product for publishing collections of archival materials. The research uses materials from the state archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regulatory and methodological documents. The results of the research include the following: an analysis of the academic discourse on the problems of publishing documentary heritage at the present stage was carried out; types of electronic publications and methods of their creation in the digital space were examined using the example of the state archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the E-Doc Complex website was developed as a separate software product for creating three types of collections of archival documents and thematic virtual exhibitions.

The Challenge of Actualising Research in Practice: Implementing the Charter of Lifelong Rights in Childhood Recordkeeping in Out of Home Care

This paper addresses the challenges encountered when actualising research in practice, using the implementation of the Charter of Lifelong Rights in Childhood Recordkeeping in Out of Home Care as an illustrative example. We begin with overviews of the recordkeeping failures of the past and present, and the development of the Charter to address them. We imagine transformed recordkeeping and archiving systems engaging children, young people and Care leavers as creators and decision-makers about their records. We identify challenges and barriers to implementation and discuss the strategies designed to engage major stakeholders in implementing the Charter. The paper concludes by challenging recordkeeping regulators, recordkeeping and archival institutions, current records creators and holders, and the recordkeeping and archival profession to play their essential role in enabling the realisation of this goal and identify the broader relevance of reconceptualising person-centric recordkeeping.

Envisioning Archival Images with Artificial Intelligence

The literature review explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing access to and management of photographic archives. As digital and analog photographs proliferate in archival institutions, traditional approaches to organizing and describing these materials are increasingly inadequate. The review highlights the potential of AI, particularly computer vision (CV), to address the challenges associated with processing large volumes of digital images. CV algorithms, such as object detection and image classification, can automate tasks like image metadata generation, offering archivists new tools for organizing collections more efficiently. However, the adoption of AI in archival practice raises important ethical concerns, particularly regarding biases inherent in AI training datasets and technologies like facial recognition. Through various case studies, the review demonstrates that interdisciplinary collaboration between archivists, AI specialists, and scholars is crucial to developing effective AIdriven solutions. Projects like CAMPI and the Finnish Wartime Photograph Archive illustrate the practical benefits of AI, while emphasizing the need for archivists to develop AI and visual literacy. This review serves as a foundational resource for archival scholars and practitioners interested in utilizing AI to improve access to photographic archives.

Valorising Transnational Heritage Through Cultural Routes—European Travels in Special Collections of Adriatic Libraries

In this paper, the authors present the possibilities of transnational networking and developing innovative cultural routes through participatory research and creative presentations of European cultural heritage in special collections of Adriatic libraries. The purpose of the research, conducted in the framework of the course Travel Writing and Cultural Routes, was to identify collections that contain travel writing material related to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area and to enable its better visibility through the digitization and creation of new European cultural routes. The students, with the help of librarians at the University Library in Pula, explored special collections, such as the Marine Library, and proposed the creation of new cultural routes, following the itineraries of European travel writers in the Adriatic. The conducted research indicated collections and materials in heritage institutions (archives, libraries and museums) in Pula and Istria relevant to the topics of cultural routes and travel in Europe, as well as regional multicultural history. Libraries in Istria and Dalmatia have valuable collections of rare archival material related to European travels to the Adriatic. The cataloguing and digitisation of rare travel texts has the potential to raise awareness of these collections, adding to their significance for academic research and heritage-based tourism.

Literacy Quality in Static Archive Services: A Study at the Yogyakarta Library and Archives Service

This study evaluated the quality of static archive services at the Yogyakarta Library and Archives Service, Indonesia. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The population comprised employees managing static archives within the institution, with a sample of 13 respondents selected through a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including a one-sample t-test and correlational analysis. The findings revealed that the quality of archival facilities, employee competence, and performance effectiveness significantly influence the overall quality of archival services, with each variable hypothesized to meet at least 70% of the standard benchmarks. These insights underscore the critical areas for service improvement and highlight the need for targeted strategies to enhance institutional outreach and engagement. The study may contribute to the academic discourse on archival services by providing empirical evidence on the factors affecting service quality. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations for archival institutions to enhance service delivery and fulfill their mission of preserving and disseminating archival knowledge.

Managing Static Archives for Historical Research: A Study at the Archives Depot of the East Java Provincial Library and Archives Service, Indonesia

This study investigated the procedures for managing static archives as historical research sources and the challenges encountered in the management process at the the Archives Depot of the East Java Provincial Library and Archives Service, Indonesia. Data were collected through observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The study applied static archive management theories, encompassing record selection, accessioning, arrangement, description, conservation, preservation, storage, and reference functions. The findings revealed that static archive management involves interconnected processes, including selecting records, accessioning, arranging, describing, preserving, and utilizing archives for historical research. Despite the structured procedures, internal challenges such as limited archivist competence, insufficient technical and operational support, and inadequate budgets, facilities, and infrastructure hinder optimal management. External challenges stem from the low public awareness of the importance of preserving static archives. It underscores the universal importance of effective static archive management in preserving historical records for future generations. It highlights common challenges faced by archival institutions, particularly in resource-constrained environments, and offers insights that can inform best practices globally.

Integrating Disaster Risk Management and Archival Frameworks for Safeguarding Citizens' Vital Records

Citizen’s vital records contain information value, proof of important life events, and legal and binding ownership of assets. Disaster risk management rarely calculates damage and loss of vital records due to disasters. This article presents a comprehensive review of records protection practices designed to ensure the preservation and accessibility of citizens' vital records. This study provides a comprehensive review of practices for protecting vital records to ensure their preservation and accessibility. Using a qualitative methodology, the research examines the integration of disaster risk management and records management within the framework of the Records Continuum concept. The study identifies critical processes in protecting vital records, including prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. It highlights the need for a tailored approach at the individual level, considering community awareness, infrastructure availability, and resource limitations. Factors such as susceptibility to natural disasters, inadequate infrastructure, low public awareness, and financial constraints exacerbate the risks to these records. Consequently, protection strategies must account for the socio-economic, physical, and cultural contexts of the affected populations. The findings emphasize that safeguarding vital records is a shared responsibility, involving not only governments and archival institutions but also active community participation. By integrating disaster risk management principles with archival frameworks, this research offers actionable insights for enhancing record preservation practices globally.

Low-Level MDM2 Amplification by FISH: An Institutional Experience With a Diagnostic Dilemma.

Background: MD M2 (murine double minute-2) amplification via fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is the gold standard test used for confirming the diagnosis of atypical lipomatous tumor/well differentiated liposarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. It is also used as a screening test in high grade spindle cell or pleomorphic neoplasms. MDM2 FISH is considered positive for amplification when the MDM2/CEP12 ratio is greater than 2; however, a ratio between 2 and 3 is considered a "low-level" amplification and raises the possibility of a false positive result; thus, posing a diagnostic dilemma. Another molecular modality, next generation sequencing (NGS) assay, can help in such situations in confirming or excluding the M D M 2 amplification status. Confronted by a number of neoplastic specimens at our institution with "low-level" MDM2 amplification via FISH, we aimed to assess the specificity of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in such tumors by comparing their NGS assay results and determine an accurate MDM2 amplification status that further aids in diagnosis. Methods: Tumors with "low-level" MDM2 amplification via FISH, defined as MDM2/CEP12 ratio between 2 and 3, and harboring a high grade and/or pleomorphic morphology were retrospectively retrieved from our institutional archives from the last five years. The retrieved specimens were evaluated for concordant retrospective Oncomine v3 analysis. Oncomine v3 is an institutional NGS assay that covers 161 genes and assesses for DNA mutations, RNA fusions, and copy number alterations including MDM2 gene gain or amplification. The tumors with Oncomine v3 results were compared and the FISH specificity was calculated. Results: Twenty-seven high grade and/or pleomorphic tumors with "low-level" MDM2 amplification were retrieved. Eight out of twenty-seven tumors had Oncomine v3 performed on them. The tumors correlated to neoplasms from different lineage types including undifferentiated melanoma, sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and high-grade poorly differentiated pleomorphic neoplasm. All 8 tumors had a low-level MD M2 amplification ratio ranging between 2.09 and 2.84. Seven out of eight had no MD M2 copy number alteration. One only (leiomyosarcoma) demonstrated MD M2 copy number gain (∼5 copies) that did not qualify as amplification due to the "6 copy number" gain cutoff. TP53, CDKN2A/B, PIKC3, and PTEN alterations were the most common genetic aberrations detected by Oncomine v3. Conclusion: We demonstrated the absence of MDM2 amplification via Oncomine in all our 8 "low-level" MDM2 FISH amplification specimens confirming the FISH results as "false positive" with a corresponding FISH specificity rate of 0%. Laboratory measures and utilizing NGS assay when needed, could be implemented when encountering such problematic "low-level" MDM2 amplification specimens to avoid misdiagnosis and misuse of targeted therapy. Future studies are needed to better characterize and investigate such findings.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma with fibromyomatous stroma associated with tuberous sclerosis or MTOR, TSC1/TSC2-Mutations: A Series of 4 cases and a review of the literature

Renal cell carcinoma with fibromyomatous stroma (RCCfms) are characterized by a constellation of morphologic findings that include elongated tubules lined by cells with clear to pale eosinophilic cytoplasm and intersecting bands of smooth muscle stroma. Consistent immunohistochemistry findings in RCCfms include diffuse positivity for carbonic anhydrase 9 and variable expression of keratin 7. Molecular profiling of such tumors show either pathogenic alterations of the ELOC (TCEB1) gene, or alterations of MTOR, TSC1, and TSC2. MTOR, TSC1/TSC2-altered RCCfms (M/TSC-RCCfms) has been reported both in the sporadic setting and in association with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The importance of accurate diagnosis of M/TSC-RCCfms includes prompting germline testing in the appropriate clinical context. In addition, it can lead to patient management strategies that are focused on the preservation of renal function, as TSC patients often have multifocal and bilateral disease. As diagnostic criteria for M/TSC-RCCfms have only been recently established, additional data are needed to understand the natural history of this disease. Herein, we report 6 patients with metastatic M/TSC-RCCfms, including four patients from our institutional archives (four males, aged 36–58 years at nephrectomy), and two additional cases reported in the literature. Five patients had TSC, and the sixth had an MTOR-altered RCCfms. The majority of patients (5/6, 83%) presented with regional lymph node involvement and one patient developed metastases to the lung. All patients were alive at last follow up (median follow-up of 85 months). Our report is intended to raise awareness regarding rare instances of metastatic behavior for M/TSC-RCCfms.

Open-Source Solutions in Archival Institutions

Open-source solutions offer a cost-effective alternative for archival institutions facing budget constraints. The absence of licensing fees and the ability to modify and customize the software without vendor lock-in make open source particularly appealing. This financial flexibility allows institutions to allocate resources to other critical aspects of preservation and access. In the article the author presents various advantages and disadvantages of using open-source software.

‘The melody that’s sweetly played in tune’ #—the heritage ecologies of the Ardeer Peninsula, North Ayrshire, Scotland

This photo essay explores the ways in which archaeology and photography work together and intervene in the world, to focus on landscapes that have been overlooked or actively ignored. It considers the site of a dynamite factory that was built by Alfred Nobel on the Ardeer Peninsula, Scotland, which has now been designated as a brownfield. The prevailing narrative is of industrial progress followed by ruination; where institutional archives memorialise Alfred Nobel, the technology of dynamite manufacture, and the built environment, they ignore the lives of those who worked there. This narrative sits alongside the way the present landscape is viewed as derelict and in need of redevelopment, ignoring the fauna and flora that thrive there. We take an other-than-human approach and consider how multiple species and processes come together at Ardeer. A vibrant and lively landscape is brought to the fore in terms of an archaeology of factory workers and a heritage site as an ecology.