We like to be a little unconventional today. Let us look into human history and discover what archeologists have got to say about the traces of mattresses in recent times. Have you ever wondered what the world's oldest bed would have been or looked like? Well, keep reading. Let's explore the history of the mattress used many years ago.

The earliest humans were said to live in caves. Recently, archeologists discovered traces of a mattress from a South African cave that is over 200,000 years old.  Interestingly, humans have always sought comfort in many ways possible. Research reveals that the dashes of the earliest-known mattress were discovered at the Border Cave in the Lebombo Mountains in South Africa.

According to a study by researchers, "Remains of bones, artifacts, tools, and ochre (soft clay) in the Border Cave helped them understand the lives of ancient humans." Details of the world's oldest mattress as published by the Journal Science sheds light on the following.

Use of grass for soft beds
"Archaeologist Lyn Wadley from the University of the Witwatersrand first discovered white flecks when they were investigating the site. After closely examining those flecks, they realized those were plant traces. Further chemical analysis proved that the flecks came from 'Panicoideae' grasses that are found in the area. That led the team of researchers to believe that ancient humans brought grass to form soft padding that they slept on. Those flecks were found in a layer of sediment at the cave's bedrock along with two human teeth. Carbon dating revealed that it was around 200,000 years old".

In addition to plants, "human settlers in the cave also used ashes to repel bugs. Archeologists found remains of charred camphor bush. People in East Africa still use the aromatic plant to get rid of bed bugs. Researchers believe "ashes were probably used to create clean and odor-controlling the base for bedding."

Wadley further told Daily Mail that "researchers believe that those findings are consistent with cognitive, behavioral and social complexity of Stone Age humans. Such complexity was found in humans only 100,000 years after. "The simple strategies we have seen at the Border Cave give us a glimpse into the lifeways of people in the deep past."

Details of the Oldest Bed
International Business Times wrote: "Until now, the oldest known use of bed dated back to 77,000 years ago when humans used plants and grass to soften the area where they slept on. It was also found in South Africa in Sibudu Cave. Researchers also found traces of layers of plants that were possibly used as a bed in Israel that date back to over 180,000 years ago."

As interesting as this may sound, findings show that "not all scientists are convinced with Wadley and her team's findings. They believe the teeth that were used for carbon dating for the bedding may not be reliable. They also argue that the use of bedding alone doesn't prove that humans of that era were cognitively advanced as many animals and birds use grass to soften the sleeping area. Dani Nadel, an Israeli archaeologist stated, "Sometimes such dates are not very accurate."

Whichever the case, we believe you now have an idea of what the earliest mattress would have seemed like. Feel free to share your reservation.

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