U radu se donosi pregled najvažnijih pojmova vezanih za arhive i arhivsko gradivo. Cilj ovog rada je prikazati promjenu tradicionalnog shvaćanja arhivističkih koncepata u odnosu na novu postmodernističku paradigmu i njen utjecaj na razvoj konceptualnog modela. Na početku rada daje se teorijski okvir definiranjem pojmova arhiv, arhivsko gradivo, stvaratelj i imatelj. Definiranjem arhivističkih načela i opisivanjem međunarodnih standarda za opis arhivskog gradiva nudi se širi kontekst i značenje pojmova. Pojava postmodernizma utječe na arhive i arhivistiku što rezultira novom paradigmom u pristupu i obradi arhivskog gradiva. U skladu s tom novom paradigmom i tehnološkim napretkom mijenjaju se značenja temeljnih arhivističkih koncepata i omogućava se razvoj novih. Arhivi i zapisi postaju dinamične strukture koje dokumentiraju objekte isprepletene kompleksnim međusobnim odnosima i međuzavisnim kontekstom.

This paper presents an overview of the most important archival concepts. The aim of this paper is to show the change of traditional understanding of archival concepts in relation to the new postmodernist paradigm and its impact on the development of the conceptual model. At the beginning of the paper, a theoretical framework is defined, defining the terms archive, archival material, creator and custody. Defining archival principles and describing international standards for the description of archival material offers a broader context and meaning of concepts. The emergence of postmodernism affects archives and archival science, resulting in a new paradigm in access and processing of archival material. In accordance with this new paradigm and technological progress, the meanings of fundamental archival concepts are changed and new developments are made possible. Archives and records become dynamic structures that document objects with complex interrelationships and contexts.