ABSTRACTSome of the earliest conceptual milestones in memory research with relevance to
the physical means through which its preservation is made possible, namely, the
‘memory trace’ or ‘engram’, are analysed in this study. The fundamental notions
were laid down by Platon and Aristoteles. While Platon regarded memory as an
imprint on a ‘wax block’ in the immortal soul, Aristoteles considered memory a
modification in the mortal soul, imprinted like a cast at birth time. The Roman
orators were interested in mnemotechnics, and Cicero is credited for the term
‘trace’ (vestigium) used for the first time. Much later,
Descartes described the (memory) ‘trace’ (trace), linking
psychic, and physical processes. Finally, Semon posited innovative concepts and
terms centralized by the ‘engram’ (Engramm). The search of this
important question, which begun about two and a half millennia ago, continues in
focus, as can be seen through the growing rate of published papers on the
subject.