Oral History
examples of oral traditions
The celtic druids had a limited writing system called ogham but used it typically for things like gravestones and other markers. Knowledge was transmitted through an oral tradition. People were chosen when they were young and were trained for a large part of their life to excel in memorising stories, folklore and medicine.
recorded memory systems
Historical uses of memory systems
The orators of ancient Rome were expected to be informed, educated and able to debate the issues of the day without recourse to written notes. The methods used by these orators are some of the first records of memory systems ever used.
The Journey system of memory used a familiar route to keep a sequence of ideas in an orators mind. Starting with something like a home or the walk through a nearby area the first idea of a speech was remembered with the first step.
If the speech was about the building of a new aquaduct perhaps the idea of 'needs for water' would be tied to the front door of their home. The regions that need water most would be tied to the front hall. This theme continued with the atrium, the kitchen and the sitting room remembered with the next ideas in the speech.
