Artifact Record Keeping

The artifact record keeping strategies and practices of archaeologists and excavators can be compared to modern day bookkeeping as every artifact has to be journalized and posted to some sort of a ledger as every transaction in accounting has to be analyzed, then journalized and posted to a ledger.

Classical strategies of recordkeeping
The records in the ancient Greece were kept basing on the time, use and the duration which it was expected to last. For instance, if the document was meant for a wider audience, the secretary could instruct the stone mason to carve the information on a stone tablet. The wood and papyrus documents served a different purpose as compared to stone. Since they were perishable in nature, they only served a short-term

purpose; they could serve as public notices.
Other uses such as information related to military service with the names of fighters and other prominent warriors had specific types of documents for their names.

These documents were kept in an organized manner in archives with labels that could identify each item. It could, therefore, give the archivist an easy time in tracing a document (Buchanan, 2012).
Record keeping practices in the ancient Greece
In the past, Athenians used to display information on a large rectangular slab of marble. The oldest document of this nature dates from the late sixth century. However, the practice of inscribing official texts became familiar in the middle of the fifth century. Since that time, this type of documents increased tremendously. Honorary degrees were among the writings that the Athenians rewarded some individuals (usually foreigners) for rendering a specified service to them. Treaties that were governing Athenian relations with foreign states were also common.
Athenians also kept some financial documents which were recorded on stones. The accounts of the construction of temples during the fifth century were published since they were annual inventories of dedications and sacred objects kept in the temple and sanctuaries of the gods of Athenians. Previous researchers indicate that stone documents were copies of other original records housed in archival collections (Buchanan,

2012).
There were secretaries whose primary duties and responsibilities were to record and ensure the safety of these documents for the latter reference. Their names were frequently inscribed on the documents such as wooden tablets or the sheets of papyrus. A secretary could make a copy and give it to the stone mason after reaching a consensus with the authorities in a case where a document deserved a wider publicity.
Strategies of modern bookkeeping
Computer museums and use of microfilms
It is a method of maintaining access to digital materials by creating archives of obsolescent hardware and software. A microfilm copy of the digital object is a preservation strategy used by some archivists. However, most of these professionals believe that it is a short-term method only limited to a few applications.
Two important strategies can guide an archivist on the custody of records in a digital environment, that is, Centralized Archival Custody and non-Custody approaches.
Centralized custody approach
Studies indicate that the authenticity over time of inactive records can be ensured when their care is entrusted to professional archivists. It, therefore, implies that various factors must be satisfied in this case. The centralized location is assumed to have an ability to monitor compliance and competent in all matters regarding the record keeping practice (Cunningham, 2017).
Distributed approach
Archivists, in this case, believe that a less centralized custody model portrays as an efficient approach. The primary argument, in this case, is that there might be delays in the transfer of inactive records to an archive. Such a scenario might make some records to remain indefinitely in the custody of the originating office. Therefore, electronic environment in archival institutions can assume the responsibilities without focusing on the physical custody of the records (Cunningham, 2017).