The hippocampus is another important structure of the limbic system. Its main function is in the process of remembering; it puts together little pieces of information and forms them into explicit memories. It also retrieves past encoded information.  Implicit memory, which takes place in the amygdala, is the form of memory we have until the 12-18 months.  It is an evaluation of whether a situation or person is safe-there is  no awareness of time.

When explicit memory comes online, the parts of implicit memory are integrated and recognized as coming from the past.  Factual memory comes first; the ability to recall events in sequence and locate them in space.  Following this  autobiographical memory begins.