Hybrid blockchain for historical document preservation: Securing authenticity and accessibility with Ethereum and IPFS

The preservation of historical records is critical for maintaining cultural heritage and providing future generations with accurate historical insights. Traditional storage methods are vulnerable to tampering, loss, and unauthorized access, presenting challenges in safeguarding document authenticity. This paper proposes a hybrid blockchain-based document management system, utilizing Quorum as a private, permissioned blockchain for authorized modifications by trusted historians and institutions, and Ethereum as a public blockchain for immutable record verification. By integrating the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for decentralized storage and employing smart contracts to enforce access control, this system ensures secure modification and transparent public access for document verification. Can be developed in collaboration with entities such as the International Historical Research Consortium (IHRC) and the Indian Council of Historical Research, the proposed architecture facilitates a trustworthy digital archive that meets academic standards for historical document preservation.