Abstract:

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.

Also available in German.

Contents

Foreword
Johannes Müller

Preface in the Name of the Young Academy
Tim Kerig

Introduction: How Habits Influence Our Thinking and Actions
Henriette Brandt, Laurenz Hillmann, Darja Jonjić, Anastasiia Kurgaeva, Sara Mura, Katharina Zerzeropulos

Moin, Buddel and Klönschnack – Language Habits of Northern Germany
Darja Jonjić, Katharina Zerzeropulos, Sarah Bockmeyer

– – With Infoboxes on Linguistic Terminology by
– – Anna-Theres Andersen and Darja Jonjić

Should We Adopt Dietary Habits of the Past? Eating Like Our Ancestors
Henriette Brandt, Sara Mura, Laurenz Hillmann

Natural Science Methods in Archaeology – Archaeometry
Henriette Brandt, Anastasiia Kurgaeva, Fiona Walker-Friedrichs

Out of Sight, Out of Mind, or Not Quite? Habits of Waste Disposal
Anastasiia Kurgaeva, Florian Schwake, Fiona Walker-Friedrichs

Scrubbing Through Time: Ancient Body Care Habits Revealed
Laurenz Hillmann, Anna-Theres Andersen, Florian Schwake

They See Me Rolling – Habits of Driving Around in Prehistoric Times
Sarah Bockmeyer, Gianluca Ricci, Anna-Theres Andersen

Navigating the Past – Unravelling the Habit of Orientation
Stefania Fiori, Laurenz Hillmann, Gianluca Ricci

When Common Habits Became Law – A View Back to Antiquity
Gianluca Ricci, Fiona Walker-Friedrichs, Darja Jonjić

On Diplomatic Gift Exchange
Anna-Theres Andersen, Darja Jonjić, Sara Mura

From Habitus to Habits – Understanding the Threads of Cultural Behaviour
Sara Mura, Stefania Fiori, Florian Schwake

Death Before Our Eyes – Remembrance in Everyday Life
Sara Mura, Sarah Bockmeyer, Anastasiia Kurgaeva

Turns in Archaeology – Breaking Habits in the Humanities
Florian Schwake, Stefania Fiori, Katharina Zerzeropulos

Old Habits Die Hard? Bad Habits Die Harder! – Discrimination Throughout History
Katharina Zerzeropulos, Anastasiia Kurgaeva, Henriette Brandt

Outlook
Anna-Theres Andersen, Sarah Bockmeyer, Stefania Fiori, Florian Schwake, Fiona Walker-Friedrichs

Contributors

For further reading

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