Peatland Archive of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin / Condition Survey, Cleaning, and Protective Packaging

The Peatland Archive is a specialised research collection held by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. It is under the scientific supervision of the Soil Science Group at the Thaer-Institut. The archive comprises approximately 1,000 map sheets documenting peatland mapping, together with detailed reports dating from 1953 to 1972. The mapping was commissioned by the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) for planning the water management and soil amelioration as a part of the large-scale agricultural development of peatlands. The collection contains documentation relating to approximately 150,000 hectares of peatland within the territory of the former GDR. In 1973, all materials were transferred to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. This cartographic collection constitutes a unique resource for landscape and climate research and continues to support the planning of contemporary peatland conservation and climate mitigation measures.

The collection comprises large-format, hand-drawn and hand-coloured maps and plans on thin paper, including tracing paper. The materials contain annotations relating to locations, borehole sites and soil observations. The collection shows clear evidence of extensive use over many years. Conservation measures are urgently required.

In view of the considerable size of the archive and the substantial financial and time resources likely to be required, the proposed project aims to implement initial conservation measures and to undertake a systematic condition survey of the collection. Conservators will examine the entire collection, assessing and documenting the condition of each item according to defined damage categories. The results will be used to establish priorities for conservation treatment in a possible second phase of the project.

As archival and conservation expertise lie outside the Thaer-Institut’s core remit, a cooperation has been established with the University Library of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The University Library will support the Peatland Archive in matters relating to paper conservation, archival packaging, and the documentation and long-term preservation of the original material.