Abstract The concept of trace is useful for a semiotic reflection upon what left behind. Similar to the concepts index and footprint, traces are traditionally described as already signs, or more precisely something recognized sign (Violi, Riv Ital Filos Linguaggio, 2016, http://www.rifl.unical.it/index.php/rifl/article/view/365 ; Mazzucchelli, 2015, http://www.rifl.unical.it/index.php/rifl/arti...