From diplomatics criticism to contemporary diplomatics analysis: approaches and tech-niques of documentary analysis

Abstract

This study, of an instrumental nature, discusses the theoretical differences which underpin the documentary analysis models used in traditional Diplomatics and Contemporary Diplomatics. Undoubtedly, both models of analysis contribute to the understanding of the sources —a vital point of the process of analyzing the document to be used in any area. Thus, the choice of either technique must take into account the goals proposed for the research, according to the object that is taken as the reference point: the archival series or the individual document. That way, issues such as the evidential value and diplomatic authenticity are important within the Archival Science, which seeks through auxiliary disciplines to verify the historical trail of the document, from the moment of its production, usage and archiving, as well as the various custodians, contributing in a large measure to the understanding of its information —what is registered as well as the context— in its broadest sense.