Researchers have discovered the oldest known grass bedding, dating back at least 200,000 years — significantly older than previously documented examples. The find suggests that early humans were using grass as a functional material to create a dirt-free, insulated base for their living spaces. Additional evidence from the site, including insect-repellent plants and ash layers (possibly from burned older beddings), indicates that these early occupants were also employing strategies to keep arthropods away and maintain a clean living environment. This discovery provides new insights into the behavioral flexibility and resourcefulness of early human populations, showing that they were actively modifying their immediate environment for comfort and health reasons well before the emergence of more complex agricultural practices.
About the Author
