Ladders are such useful, commonplace items in our world that we rarely stop and think about their origins and history. They are used for so many purposes, and even mentioned at various and frequent points during history, myth, and legends. The word ‘ladder’ can be traced as far back as having Latin origins, which is unsurprising considering they were used even in the Roman era. Where did the ladder come from and how has it been used throughout history? While its exact origins may be less clear than we would like, it’s interesting to see how this handy tool has been used across the ages.

Early Origins

The ladder is thought to have been first used during the Mesolithic period around 10,000 years ago. A cave painting found in Spain depicts two men climbing a ladder to reach a beehive so that they can harvest the honey from it. The image of the ladder is very clear, featuring the same two side and rungs in the middle that we are so familiar with today.

Of course, the exact date of creation and the person behind it are unknown. The information has been lost through time, especially as writing had not yet been developed in Europe during this period. It’s likely that these prehistoric ladders were made from woven grass, which is actually a lot stronger and more durable than it may sound.

It is not particularly surprising that the ladder was created during this prehistoric period. The Mesolithic was a time of great human advancement in technology and preceded the Neolithic, where humans began to develop a stronger sense of culture and progressive behaviour.

Ancient Egypt

During the Ancient Egyptian period ladders were frequently used to reach high places and aid in the constant construction that took place through most of the period. It was a great industrial tool that allowed slaves and workers to complete work efficiently and also aided in making sure some of the fantastical and jaw-dropping Egyptian structures we see today were completed. A brilliant tool for labour and decorating walls, the ladder also had another purpose.

When a person died it was believed that they would ascend to the afterlife, but in order to do that they had to first climb a ladder. Ladders were placed in or near tombs as it was believed that without them a soul would not be able to ascend and move on to meet the gods. This is why it was considered bad luck to stand underneath one, if you did so the soul would curse you for preventing them from climbing up.

Medieval Period

As with every other historical period, ladders were used for construction and the decoration of walls during the medieval era. Without them, beautiful murals and artistic creations could not have been designed in cities like Rome, and beautiful statues would not have been completed. However, they also had a darker purpose. Ladders were an instrument of war and used to siege castles and fortresses during times of war and conflict. These tools for creation were also able to assist in complete destruction of entire populations of towns and villages.

It is interesting to see how far the ladder has come since its humble beginnings in prehistory. Today, ladders are used for the same purposes that they were created – reaching high objects and aiding in construction and decoration. They have been used in warfare since the medieval period, notably both of the World Wars. However, nowadays their primary uses focus is on saving lives in the hands of firefighters and creating beautiful designs for us to admire. While you can still purchase wooden ladders, they are now often made from strong and reinforced metal, making them sturdier than their woven grass ancestors!