However, pillows beginning in the Stone Age, were literally that, stones. Even as civilization thrived in places such as Asia, stone pillows were common. Other hard materials were also used in those early centuries, including ivory and wood.
Pillows have supposedly been around since 7000 BCE, in early Mesopotamia. Of course, they were made of stone and so understandably less comfortable; very unlike what we think of as pillows today. In fact, it is said that these stone pillows were made to help keep bugs from crawling into the ears of wealthier citizens.
Caveman beds
The archaeologists found a mattress complete with soft bedding. It was made primarily from stems, leaves and other plant materials. Even back then, we were looking for a comfy night's sleep. What surprised scientists most, however, was the use of natural insecticides.
As for how humans slept without soft pillows, they likely slept in a more upright or reclined position rather than lying flat on their backs, as is common today. They may have also used blankets or other soft materials to cushion their heads and support their necks while they slept.
Did cavemen sleep on pillows? While nothing has ever been found from the time period you are referring to, there are examples of ancient pillows that go back thousands of years.
The Hard Life and Pillows of Stone
Historical evidence shows that pillows have been around for thousands of years. However, pillows beginning in the Stone Age, were literally that, stones. Even as civilization thrived in places such as Asia, stone pillows were common.
These early pillows were made of stone and carved into a cradle shape – they were not designed for comfort. Instead, these stone pillows were used to elevate the head so that insects wouldn't crawl into a sleeper's mouth, nose, or ears! Because stone was expensive, the pillows were only used by the wealthy.
Modern man usually uses a pillow to bridge this gap, but the ancient Egyptians used a headrest. This piece of furniture consisted of a semicircular upper section placed under the skull, just above the ear, and one or more columns raising the upper part to the right height.
Around 7,000 years ago in Mesopotamia (current-day Iraq) the pillow was first constructed. Unlike our squishy modern pillows, these ancient relics were made from stone. Yes, cold, hard stone. They were used not for head and neck support, but to protect the head from insects.
What is the forbidden zone for sleep? The forbidden sleep zone is the time zone before bedtime when its almost impossible to fall asleep. It happens due to the interaction of 2 biological processes that drive our wake and sleep cycles: the homeostatic sleep drive and circadian alerting system.
Cavemen chewed on sticks to clean their teeth and even used grass stalks to pick in between their teeth. Without the availability of high-quality toothbrushes and toothpaste, however, cavemen's teeth were more susceptible to cavities and decay, even with a healthy, carbohydrate-free diet.
They found that average time the members of each tribe spent asleep ranged from 5.7 to 7.1 hours per night, quite similar to the reported sleep duration in more modern societies.
Before the days of Tempur-Pedic mattresses and Casper, humans slept on makeshift sleeping surfaces like piles of straw. As society advanced, primitive mattresses were fashioned out of stuffed fabrics, and down was introduced.
Early Americans slept on wooden bedsteads with rope or leather sacking, topped with mattresses of corn husks or horsehair, plus featherbeds, bolsters, and pillows. Betsy Ross made beds as well as flags, and some Native American tribes used wooden bedsteads too.
Pillows were filled with wood, straw, hair, and more, depending on geographical regions as well as wealth status.
Sleeping without a pillow may help some people who sleep on their front. It can help keep the spine and the neck in alignment during sleep, easing neck and back pain. It is not a good idea for everyone, though. People who sleep on their back or side might find that sleeping without a pillow causes neck or back pain.
Most beds had one long pillow placed at the head called a bolster that was covered with a head sheet. Additional pillows were propped on the bolster for each sleeper. Sometimes the head sheet was draped over these pillows at bedtime to protect them from oils and sweat.
Pillows in the Middle Ages
During the middle ages in Europe many people did not use a pillow. Soft pillows became a status symbol. King Henry VIII banned the use of soft pillows with the exception of use by pregnant women. By the 16th Century the use of pillows had become increasingly commonplace.
The Egyptians believed that the head was an important spiritual and life center for the body, so pillows and headrests were created to hold and protect it. Most of these pillows, while similar to the Mesopotamians in their curved top, were carved out of wood and reserved mainly for wealthy individuals.
The use of a pillow between your knees can improve overall comfort in bed. In particular, these pillows can help relieve pressure on the knees themselves. They can also help keep the spine, hips, and pelvis in alignment, which is particularly useful for those who experience back pain.
Unlike today's soft pillows filled with synthetic fiber, down and feather, ancient Chinese pillows were extremely firm, made of wood, stone, copper or porcelain. During the Sui Dynasty (581-618), porcelain headrests were the most common type of ancient pillows.
Ceramic pillows in China were first produced during the Tang dynasty (618–907). They became a popular domestic item among middle- and upper-class families during the Song dynasty.
Wondering why pillows turn yellow in the first place? That dingy yellow hue that bed pillows tend to develop over time is caused by the moisture they absorb while you sleep, including sweat, saliva, natural oils from your hair and skin, and even skin and hair product residues.
The oldest known pillow dates back to Mesopotamia over 9,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians also used these types of pillows, but they were more interested in protecting the head because it was seen as the spiritual center of their bodies — comfort was strictly optional.
“Open up an older pillow, and it's a cesspool of mold, mildew, fungus, dust mites and mite feces,” said bedding expert Dan Schecter. That's a problem for people with allergies.