Thousands of years of sleeping experimentation
Sleep has been happening as long as long as there have been humans. So what have we been sleeping on all this time? From the dawn of civilization to today’s mattresses and pillows, what we sleep on has evolved dramatically. We’ve come a long way from beds of leaves and pillows of stone, but we’ve taken some problematic turns as well.
Sleeping arrangements are reflections of their time, context, culture, and understanding, so let’s take a journey through time to explore the fascinating history of these sleep essentials.
The Earliest Evidence of Bedding
Researchers working in South Africa have discovered cave sites showing evidence that humans have been curating their sleep environments for at least 200,000 years. These findings show a deliberate layering of grass on top of ash deposits. While this may seem head-scratchingly mysterious to us modern folks accustomed to luxurious, cushy bedding, it was brilliant for cave living. The ash created a foundation that not only insulated from the cold ground, but also provided protection from insects who don’t like the ash and avoid it. In addition, some of the leaves used for the bedding were from the camphor bush and other trees that feature natural insect repellent compounds.
Bedding 77,000 years old was found in another South African cave. At 12 inches thick and with 22 square feet of sleeping space, it was clearly designed with communal family sleeping in mind. Once again, those insect-repellent leaves were found. We should all take note in case we ever need to create a sleeping surface in the wild.
Bedframes: The Era of Elevated Rest
Bedframes began appearing about 5,000 years ago, an innovation that likely helped with that pesky insect problem by bringing us off the floor, as well as better temperature regulation for both heat and cold.
Sites in places like Scotland and Malta feature stone slabs in ancient living quarters, often with tall headboards and raised sides that make them easily identifiable. But it was ancient Egypt who really elevated the bedframe game. The tomb of Tutankhamun featured no fewer than six ornate beds, including a gold-drenched wooden platform with woven reeds and a travel bed (hey—we have one of those!).
Rome also got in on the elevated bed game. In a recently uncovered site near the city of Pompeii, covered in ash unleashed by the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the beds of slave quarters were preserved just as they had been that day. Simple wooden post frames were woven with thin rope to make a cot, and light blankets were still crumpled on top. The elites of Rome, however, had beds for every occasion, from eating to studying to sleeping—even dedicated beds for funerals and newlyweds. Wealthy Romans often slept on elaborate beds with bronze or iron frames, intricately designed headboards, and legs adorned with decorative motifs. These beds were topped with woven reeds or ropes to create a base, which was then covered with mattresses stuffed with straw, wool, or even feathers.
Bedframes were often signals of luxury and prosperity. It would take several hundreds of years for them to be accessible to more sleepers.
Pillows of Antiquity
In ancient days, pillows were not as we know them. The earliest known pillows appear to be carved stone bolsters in Mesopotamia from 9,000 years ago. Sometime later, the ancient Egyptians constructed headrests from wood or stone, which lifted and cradled the head off the sleeping surface. These headrests were considered essential for maintaining health and alignment, and might have helped keep their elaborate hairdos intact as well.
Eventually, pillows were made with softer options, again often available only for the affluent. They were typically filled with natural materials such as feathers or wool and encased in fine linen or silk covers. While we’re all about natural materials, we don’t carry stone or wood pillows—sorry! Just wonderfully soft and comfortable ones of wool and natural latex, be sure to check them out!
Practical Matters
In classical and medieval times, there was a marked shift toward practicality in bedding. Beds for common folk were simple wooden platforms or even straw-filled sacks laid on the ground. As mentioned above, wealthier individuals enjoyed more elaborate beds, often enclosed with curtains to retain warmth and offer privacy.
Mattresses were typically stuffed with straw, hay, or wool. Pillows were less common, considered a luxury item reserved for the upper classes. Those who could afford them used pillows filled with feathers and covered in embroidered fabrics. In colder climates, heavy woolen blankets provided warmth. We know just where you can find some less heavy, but wonderful wool blankets—check ‘em out!
In Japan and China, people generally slept on the floor and bed rolls made with cotton were popular. These futon mattresses served a few purposes: they were lightweight and easy to travel with, and they rolled up and out of sight so the space could be used for other purposes during the day.
The 20th Century: The Rise of Innovation
The 20th century brought about significant advancements in bedding design and materials. With increasing industrialization, mattresses evolved to include new additions like innerspring coils. Foam materials, such as latex and memory foam, became popular in the latter half of the century, transforming sleep comfort. Synthetic fills like polyester became ubiquitous in pillows, replacing feather and down options. And then we got really creative with everything from waterbeds to adjustable beds to ergonomic pillows, reflecting growing interest in personalized comfort and health.
Unfortunately, a lot of those 20th century bedding ideas brought 21st century problems.
Today: A Return to Natural Materials
Chemical toxicity, overflowing landfills, and other human health and environmental concerns, have renewed interest in sustainability and natural materials in bedding. Eco-friendly materials such as wool, latex, and organic cotton have gained popularity for aligning with growing consumer awareness about the environmental impact of synthetic products.
This is why Shepherd’s Dream does what we do. Our pillows and mattresses feature natural fills of wool or latex. Pillows, comforters, and toppers are encased in organic cotton fabric. Everything is plastic free, biodegradable, all-natural, and hypoallergenic, creating a bedroom environment that both you and the planet will love.
Conclusion: The Timeless Pursuit of Better Sleep
We’ve come a long way! The history of beds and pillows reflects humanity’s enduring quest for comfort and rest. And yet, as we’ve discovered, sometimes it’s worth taking a step back and listening to the wisdom of a previous era. Our mission is to prioritize health, sustainability, and comfort, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
Thanks so much for stopping by! We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane with us. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more, and if you haven’t already, sign up for our Ewe’s Letter below. Until next time, sweet dreams!
