Changes

==Early History==

The bed develops as humans began to built long-term settlements or more permanent dwelling places by around 8000-7000 BCE. Before this time, beds were mostly ad hoc construction that would have been made from surrounding materials (e.g., straw or twigs) and often discarded as human populations moved or easily packed. Early beds were mainly built from wood, straw, or had underlying stone. However, what began to change in early agricultural societies is that beds began to be raised from the floor as settlement places developed. This became needed as many agricultural societies needed raised platforms, as agriculture also attracted rodents and other pests that now also came to humans' homes. Greater use of the physical space in homes, particularly the floors, also meant that raising a platform or level above the floor became needed for early beds to avoid the dirt and other activities going on (Figure 1).<ref>For more on early beds in the pre-Neoltihic and early settled societies, see: Robinson, Vincent Joseph. 2001. Ancient Furniture and Other Works of Art. Adamant Media Corporation. </ref>

While platforms of wood or stone raised the bed from the floor, cushioning was needed for a softer sleep. This led to the development of different materials, ranging from textiles stuffed with soft materials such as leaves, to other, less harsh forms of cushioning from basic materials, including feathers. Other innovations included filling a leather cushion made of goat skin with water, such as used in ancient Persia, which made, essentially, an early form of waterbed.<ref>For more on ancient Persian waterbeds, see: Coughlan, S. (2010). <i>The sleepyhead’s bedside companion.</i> London: Preface.</ref>

In the Roman period, five different types of beds were known. Beds were used for eating, studying, burying the dead, for lovemaking, and normal sleeping. The Romans differentiated these with different words and this may have also meant that different beds were used for each of these activities.<ref>For more on Roman beds, see: Williams, S. J. (2005). <i>Sleep and society: sociological ventures into the (un)known--.</i> Milton Park, Oxfordshire N.Y., NY: Routledge.</ref>

==Cultural Diversity==

In Europe, leather or rope was used in the framing. This probably led to the expression "sleep tight" as the rope or leather would loosen over time as the bed was used. Beds were often used as chairs and tables, as limited space in smaller homes with large families meant beds were generally not seen as a standalone piece of furniture. On the other hand, royalty and wealthy individuals used their beds for different activities. Formal beds were sometimes used as reception rooms to receive guests. A second bed might be kept for sleeping and sexual activity. It was also quite common to share beds, even with strangers, as bedding space was often limited in inns and other places for the public.<ref>For more on Medieval beds in Europe, see: Forgeng, J. L. (2013). <i>The Middle Ages: everyday life in medieval Europe.</i></ref>

==Summary==

Few pieces of furniture are seen so central to our homes or at least to our personal space today. The bed represents the piece of furniture that, for many of us, we might spend more time on than any other piece of furniture. However, the bed has had functional and spiritual roles far beyond its basic purpose. It has represented the entire life cycle, from giving life to being our final resting place. In other cultures, it is part of furniture that can be re-utilized for other functions, such as tables and chairs. Beds have varied from public space furniture, prominently display, and hidden or put away during waking hours in houses. In effect, the bed reflects the wide variety and attitudes present in human societies for sleep, sex, public display, social activity, and status.

==References==