Survey? Sondage? Grabung? – Zur digitalen und wissenschaftlichen Erschließung eines fotografischen Bestandes der NS-Zeit
Survey? Sondage? Excavation? - On the digital and scientific cataloguing of a photographic collection from the Nazi era

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on processes and practices, as well as questions, about the theoretical framework of a research project for the digitization and indexing of an extensive collection of approximately 1,750 glass plate negatives. These were produced around 1940 by the Staatliche Bildstelle (governmental photo archive) on behalf of Generalbauinspektor Albert Speer. They show model and planning documents for construction projects of the 'Third Reich'. The project aims to make digitized copies accessible in a database, to both clarify aspects of the inventory history and to describe and contextualize partial holding. But how is it possible to scientifically analyze the collection at the same time? What role do the digital humanities play here? In the sense of 'Measurability of the NS Regime', the concept of archaeological 'find density' is proposed. The quantity and quality of the photographs as well as their contexts represent important criteria in the choice of research foci. With the help of metaphors of field archaeology – 'survey', 'sondage' and 'excavation' – the project is outlined in structure, scope and orientation, and the work process explained by examples is made questionable and adjustable.

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