Hammocks originated in the Pre-Columbian Americas. Originally created by the Native Americans from the Hamack Tree, the hammock has a rich and interesting history. Although we are not certain exactly where the hammock originated, we know hammocks existed in Central and South America.
One of the most well know hammocks is the Mayan hammock, although it is thought that the hammocks were not part of the Classic Era Maya civilization. Hammocks were said to arrive in the Yucatán from the Caribbean less than two centuries before the Spanish conquest. Soon after the arrival of the Spanish, hammocks were made from cotton. Today, Mayan hammocks are made from cotton and/or nylon.
Hammocks were widely used by sailors and eventually found their way into the Navy. The hammocks took little space and could easily be taken down to preserve space.
Hammocks are now made from a wide range of materials ranging from cotton rope, fabrics such as canvas, as well as nylon. |
