Old Habits Die Hard : Traces from the Past

This booklet provides an interdisciplinary view into various aspects of habitual behaviour in the past and displays connections to the present.

Habits, as defined in this booklet, are recurrent, repetitive or routinely performed actions with minimal conscious effort. They play a crucial role in shaping legal, environmental and societal norms. The transition from informal norms to codified legal systems, the invention of the wheel, and the development of modern technologies, such as Google Maps, have all transformed human habits. Moreover, habitual practices, such as gift-giving, commemoration, and self-care, are deeply ingrained in everyday life, reflecting the evolving nature of human thought and cultural heritage. Thus, it becomes clear that habitual behaviours and patterns are deeply rooted in our cultural background, experiences and social interactions.The booklet presented here collects contributions from young researchers at Kiel University in archaeological, historical, environmental, and linguistic sciences, offering rich insights into the practical, theoretical, and political aspects of habitual behaviour. Moreover, the current booklet provides a thought-provoking view of the past and emphasises the necessity to understand the development of habits in order to shape present and future behaviour and interactions. The contributions do not only trace bygone habits but also aim to establish a past-present connectivity. “Old Habits Die Hard” is a good read for people interested in reflecting on today’s habits, because only those who know the past can understand the present and shape the future.