In the final episode in the series archaeologist, Dr Penny Spikins and philosopher, Dr Dorothea Debus, explore a children’s book and the personal inscription inside its pages to understand whether certain objects make human beings feel unique. This book was published in 1991 and was submitted as a cherished object through our online survey. If we were to copy all of its unique characteristics and produce a perfect replica of the book, would the owner be tempted to give up the original for the replica? In this episode we explore why it is difficult to let go of certain objects and whether the characteristics of the item gives us a sense of personal uniqueness as its owner.

Series two of ‘The Story of Things’ will be back with a new line-up of research projects in October 2017.