200,000 years ago, humans preferred to sleep in beds

[Aussie123]

Here's an interesting article about a 200,000 year old bed !

200,000 years ago, humans preferred to sleep in beds

Researchers in South Africa's Border Cave, a well-known archeological site perched on a cliff between eSwatini (Swaziland) and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, have found evidence that people have been using grass bedding to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working on at least 200,000...

phys.org

The occupants of South Africa's Border Cave made beds out of grasses, which is an amazing discovery in and of itself,
They also used camphor bush (Tarchonanthus) to deter insects which is not surprising, but is interesting to know that this was being done so long ago ...

but what I thought was really interesting is that they used ash from the fire deter insects too. Apparently that technique is still in use in parts of Africa, but I don't remember specifically hearing about it before

Several cultures have used ash as an insect repellent because insects cannot easily move through fine powder. Ash blocks insects' breathing and biting apparatus, and eventually dehydrates them.

 

[Le Loup]

Here's an interesting article about a 200,000 year old bed !

200,000 years ago, humans preferred to sleep in beds

Researchers in South Africa's Border Cave, a well-known archeological site perched on a cliff between eSwatini (Swaziland) and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, have found evidence that people have been using grass bedding to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working on at least 200,000...

phys.org

The occupants of South Africa's Border Cave made beds out of grasses, which is an amazing discovery in and of itself,
They also used camphor bush (Tarchonanthus) to deter insects which is not surprising, but is interesting to know that this was being done so long ago ...

but what I thought was really interesting is that they used ash from the fire deter insects too. Apparently that technique is still in use in parts of Africa, but I don't remember specifically hearing about it before

Good post Aussie, well done.
Regards, Keith.

 

[Kiwisailor]

Here's an interesting article about a 200,000 year old bed !

200,000 years ago, humans preferred to sleep in beds

Researchers in South Africa's Border Cave, a well-known archeological site perched on a cliff between eSwatini (Swaziland) and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, have found evidence that people have been using grass bedding to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working on at least 200,000...

phys.org

The occupants of South Africa's Border Cave made beds out of grasses, which is an amazing discovery in and of itself,
They also used camphor bush (Tarchonanthus) to deter insects which is not surprising, but is interesting to know that this was being done so long ago ...

but what I thought was really interesting is that they used ash from the fire deter insects too. Apparently that technique is still in use in parts of Africa, but I don't remember specifically hearing about it before

Very interesting. Thanks.
When travelling in Northern Thailand by motorbike, I was advised to sprinkle lavender oil around bedding area to deter bugs.
Seemed to work, and I use the oil on pillow to drop off to sleep at home if unable to nod off.
We have diametreous earth sprinkled in cupboards/lockers when travelling with the boat in Pacific Islands to kill any cockroaches if they were to fly in.
Supposedly works by plugging breathing holes in abdomen, suffocating the fockers.

 

[NicholasWatson]

Obviously, they tried to make beds for themselves. Otherwise, sleeping on a cold stone would kill them all, and we never existed. I believe that old wooden beds, made back in time, are way better. Personally, I made all bed frames in my house by myself. My wife worked on the. Meanwhile, I took care of the quality and functionality of bed frames. Besides, I also made a matching wardrobe, a dressing table for my wife, and bedside tables. We only purchased firm mattresses, pillows, duvets, and bedding. My wife also wanted to make herself a chunky thread blanket, but she couldn’t find time for that. I found something similar on sommio.co.uk and I really hope, that it will arrive on Valentine’s Day.

 

[Le Loup]

I still camp this way, I do not carry bedding with me. I make a bed of sticks & bracken & lay my blanket on top. I have always camped out in this manner. The ash is a good deterant, but of course you can't risk using hot coals & ash from your first campfire. I mostly camp in winter so that I do not have to worry so much about the nasties! In the UK though you don't have this problem.
Keith.

 

[Kiwisailor]

Obviously they tried to make beds for themselves. Otherwise, sleeping on a cold stone would kill them all.

I guess that is where the expression " stone cold dead" comes from...