If you have a specific image and want to find the original thread where it was posted, many archives allow you to search by "MD5 Hash." This is much more accurate than searching for a filename, which users often change.
If you are looking to navigate the history of the "internets' tailpipe," here is everything you need to know about 4chan archive search tools and how to use them effectively. The Problem with 4chan’s Native Search 4chan archive search
4chan is a site where content is designed to disappear. Threads expire and are deleted permanently once they fall off the last page of a board. This ephemeral nature is a core part of the site’s culture, but it presents a major challenge for researchers, meme historians, or anyone looking for a specific conversation from the past. If you have a specific image and want