Ancient Humans Kept Mementos, New Study Suggests

A new study from Tel Aviv University proposes that the human habit of collecting and keeping personal mementos dates back hundreds of thousands of years, potentially influencing the evolution of memory. Researchers combined archaeological findings with insights from psychology and neuroscience to examine objects ancient people collected that lacked obvious practical use.

The study points to examples from archaeological sites in Israel, some dating back half a million years. At Qesem Cave, small, colorful pebbles brought from various locations, with no identified practical use, are considered potential personal mementos. Similarly, hand axes found in the Jordan Valley, crafted from chert containing fossils or unusual geological formations, were sometimes preserved with these features intact, suggesting their aesthetic or mnemonic value was prioritized over pure utility.

Researchers theorize that these objects served as personal reminders of places visited or experiences had, acting as external memory aids. The physical presence and tactile nature of these items could have helped individuals distinguish between personal memories and those heard from others or imagined, thereby reinforcing the credibility of personal narratives. In early human societies, reliable personal memory was crucial for remembering encounters, alliances, debts, and rights tied to specific locations, fostering cooperation and trust.

Professor Ran Barkai suggests a link between this behavior and environmental changes, such as the disappearance of large animals, which necessitated new hunting strategies and a deeper knowledge of hunting grounds. Objects brought from these areas might have helped maintain a connection to places that provided sustenance. Dr. Yoav Ram concludes that these mementos acted as "external memory devices" that supported the evolution of autobiographical memory, fundamental to human identity.

While acknowledging this is a hypothesis and not proof that every unique stone was a memento, the researchers emphasize that memory-related objects have accompanied humans from at least 500,000 years ago to the present, indicating a deeply ingrained and meaningful behavior.