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The History of Segmented Sleep Patterns Before the Industrial Revolution: A Detailed Look

Before the advent of artificial light and rigid work schedules imposed by the Industrial Revolution, humans predominantly experienced segmented sleep, also known as biphasic or polyphasic sleep. This meant sleep was divided into distinct periods, typically with a period of wakefulness in between. This was not a sign of insomnia or a sleep disorder, but a natural and culturally accepted way of resting and utilizing the nocturnal hours.

Here's a deep dive into the history of segmented sleep before the Industrial Revolution:

1. Evidence and Sources:

Anthropological Studies: Observations of contemporary hunter-gatherer societies and traditional cultures that haven't fully embraced industrial lifestyles offer insights into pre-industrial sleep patterns. While these societies are not perfect replicas of pre-industrial Europe or other historical contexts, they provide valuable clues about how humans slept in the absence of constant artificial light and rigid work schedules.
Historical Literature: Written records from the pre-industrial era, including diaries, personal letters, medical texts, and even literature, contain glimpses of how people understood and experienced sleep. These accounts often mention a period of wakefulness in the middle of the night.
Art and Folklore: Paintings, folk tales, and songs can depict nighttime activities and beliefs, reflecting the presence of a recognized period of nocturnal wakefulness.
Ancient Medical Texts: Medical treatises from antiquity (e.g., Roman and Greek writings) often discussed sleep patterns and recognized variations beyond a single, continuous period of rest.
Historical Legal Documents: Certain legal codes and historical records indirectly reveal nighttime activities, such as rules for watchmen or guidelines for managing livestock during specific hours, which indirectly suggest widespread activity at night.

2. The Typical Segmented Sleep Pattern:

The most common pattern observed and described involved two distinct sleep periods separated by a period of wakefulness lasting approximately one to two hours. This pattern is often referred to as first sleep and second sleep.

First Sleep (Early Evening): Individuals would typically go to bed shortly after sunset or the lighting of the first candles. This sleep period was often longer, lasting for several hours.
The "Witching Hour" or "Watching Time" (Middle of the Night): After waking from their first sleep, people would be awake for a period of time. This was not necessarily a time of restless insomnia; instead, it was a structured and productive part of the night. The length of this wakeful period would vary depending on the season and individual needs.
Second Sleep (Early Morning): After the period of wakefulness, individuals would return to sleep for a second period before dawn.

3. Activities During the Wakeful Period:

The period of wakefulness in the middle of the night was not simply a time of tossing and turning. It was a time filled with a variety of activities, often considered integral to daily life:

Relaxation and Reflection: People used this time for quiet contemplation, meditation, or prayer. The stillness of the night offered a peaceful environment for introspection.
Social Interaction: In some communities, neighbors would visit each other during this time for conversation, storytelling, and socializing. This was particularly common in rural areas with close-knit communities.
Sexual Activity: Historical sources suggest that this was a common time for intimacy between couples. Some scholars argue that the term "making love" may have originated from this nightly practice.
Reading and Writing: For those who could read and write, this time offered a chance to pursue intellectual activities.
Chores and Tasks: Some individuals would use the time to complete small tasks that didn't require daylight, such as mending clothes, preparing food for the next day, or tending to livestock.
Dream Interpretation: Dreams were often seen as significant, and this wakeful period provided an opportunity to reflect on and interpret them.
Spiritual Practices: Nighttime was often associated with magic, folklore, and the supernatural. Some people engaged in rituals or practices believed to connect them with the spiritual realm.

4. Reasons for Segmented Sleep:

Several factors contributed to the prevalence of segmented sleep before the Industrial Revolution:

Natural Light Cycles: Humans were much more attuned to the natural rhythm of the sun. The limited availability of artificial light meant that people went to bed earlier and woke up earlier, naturally leading to a segmented sleep pattern. The long nights of winter, in particular, would likely have encouraged longer periods of wakefulness.
Limited Artificial Light: Before the invention of electricity, artificial light sources were expensive and inefficient. Candles, oil lamps, and fires provided limited illumination, making it difficult to engage in many activities after dark.
Agricultural Lifestyle: The rhythms of agricultural life often dictated sleep patterns. Farmers might wake up in the middle of the night to tend to animals or perform other essential tasks.
Social Acceptance and Cultural Norms: Segmented sleep was not seen as abnormal or a medical problem. It was a culturally accepted and understood part of daily life. The language itself reflected this, with specific terms used to describe the different sleep periods.
Temperature Regulation: In poorly insulated homes, waking in the middle of the night may have been necessary to tend to the fire, which would regulate the temperature.

5. Decline of Segmented Sleep:

The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes that gradually led to the decline of segmented sleep:

Artificial Light: The invention of electric lighting allowed people to extend their days and engage in activities later into the night. This led to a shift towards a more consolidated sleep pattern.
Factory Work and Fixed Schedules: Industrial work required workers to adhere to strict schedules, leaving little room for segmented sleep. Factories and other workplaces operated on fixed hours, demanding consistent work patterns.
Urbanization: As people moved from rural areas to cities, they became less attuned to natural light cycles and more influenced by artificial light and urban schedules.
Shifting Cultural Norms: As consolidated sleep became the norm, segmented sleep began to be seen as a sign of insomnia or a sleep disorder. Medical literature increasingly focused on achieving a single, uninterrupted night's sleep.
Increased Stress and Anxiety: The rapid social and economic changes of the Industrial Revolution led to increased stress and anxiety, which can disrupt sleep patterns and make it difficult to achieve a restful segmented sleep.

6. Modern Interest in Segmented Sleep:

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in segmented sleep. Some people believe that it can improve sleep quality, boost productivity, and enhance creativity. There are proponents of polyphasic sleep schedules who experiment with even more fragmented sleep patterns to minimize total sleep time. However, it's important to note that these experiments are often difficult to maintain and may have negative health consequences if not carefully managed.

In Conclusion:

Segmented sleep was not a disorder in pre-industrial times. It was a natural and culturally integrated way of life, dictated by natural light cycles, agricultural rhythms, and the limited availability of artificial light. The period of wakefulness between sleep periods was not seen as a problem, but as an opportunity for relaxation, social interaction, personal reflection, and various productive activities. The Industrial Revolution dramatically shifted sleep patterns, leading to the decline of segmented sleep and the rise of the modern emphasis on a single, consolidated night's sleep. Understanding the history of segmented sleep provides a valuable perspective on how sleep patterns have evolved in response to changing social, technological, and environmental factors. It reminds us that there is no single "right" way to sleep, and that sleep patterns can be influenced by a variety of factors beyond our individual biology.

Of course. Here is a detailed explanation of the history of segmented sleep patterns before the Industrial Revolution.

The History of Segmented Sleep Patterns Before the Industrial Revolution

For most of modern history, we have been conditioned to believe that the ideal night's sleep is a single, consolidated, uninterrupted block of 7-9 hours. Waking in the middle of the night is often viewed as a symptom of insomnia or stress. However, a wealth of historical evidence reveals that for millennia, this was not the case. The dominant sleep pattern for humans before the Industrial Revolution was segmented sleep, also known as biphasic or bimodal sleep.

This pattern consisted of two distinct periods of sleep, separated by a period of wakefulness in the middle of the night.

What Was the Segmented Sleep Pattern?

The typical structure of a night for someone in the pre-industrial world looked like this:

First Sleep (or "Dead Sleep"): People would go to bed shortly after dusk, around 9:00 or 10:00 PM. The first sleep would last for approximately 3 to 4 hours. This was often the deepest, most restorative sleep of the night.
The Waking Period (or "The Watch"): Around midnight or 1:00 AM, people would naturally wake up. This period of quiet wakefulness, lasting one to two hours, was not considered a problem. On the contrary, it was a normal, expected, and productive part of the night. In French, this period was known as dorveille (a combination of dormir "to sleep" and veiller "to be awake").
Second Sleep (or "Morning Sleep"): After the waking period, people would return to bed for a second block of sleep lasting another 3 to 4 hours, waking finally at dawn.

This pattern was not a conscious choice but a natural physiological response to the light-dark cycle of the pre-industrial world, which was dictated entirely by the sun.

The Waking Period: A Time for Activity and Contemplation

The period between the first and second sleep was far from idle. It was a unique time, characterized by a quiet and peaceful atmosphere that was highly valued. People used this time for a variety of activities:

Spirituality and Reflection: This was a prime time for prayer, meditation, and spiritual contemplation. Many prayer manuals from the Middle Ages and beyond contained special prayers designed for this specific interval. It was considered a time when one could be closer to God, free from the distractions of the day.
Intellectual Pursuits: For the literate, this was an opportunity to read and write by candlelight or firelight. The mind was considered clear and sharp after the first sleep, making it an ideal time for study and creative thought.
Domestic Chores: People would often get up and perform simple tasks around the house, such as mending clothes, tending to the fire, chopping wood, or checking on livestock. These were quiet tasks that could be done in low light.
Socializing and Intimacy: People would chat with their bedfellows or other family members. In some communities, it was not uncommon to quietly visit neighbors. This period was also considered by physicians to be the best time for marital intimacy and conception, as both partners were rested and relaxed.
Interpreting Dreams: Dreams from the first sleep were fresh in the mind, and this period was often used to ponder their meaning and significance.

This waking period was an accepted and integrated part of life. It was a private, liminal space between two sleeps, offering a unique form of consciousness that was neither fully asleep nor fully awake.

The Evidence: How We Know Segmented Sleep Was the Norm

The rediscovery of this historical sleep pattern is largely credited to historian A. Roger Ekirch. In his seminal book, At Day's Close: Night in Times Past (2005), he compiled over 15 years of research, drawing from a vast array of historical sources that directly or indirectly referenced segmented sleep. The evidence is overwhelming and comes from:

Literature: References can be found in classic works from Homer's Odyssey to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. In one of the Canterbury Tales, a character decides to go back to bed after her "firste sleep."
Personal Diaries and Letters: People would casually mention their activities between their "first" and "second" sleep as a mundane part of their day.
Medical Texts: Medical books from the 16th century onward would advise patients on the best time to take medicine or the best position to sleep in during their first or second sleep.
Legal Documents and Court Records: Witness testimonies would often reference events happening "after the first sleep," using it as a common time marker, much as we would use "after lunch" today.
Anthropological Studies: Studies of non-Western cultures that had not yet been influenced by artificial lighting showed similar bimodal sleep patterns.

These references are found across Europe—in English, French, Italian, and German sources—and span centuries, from the ancient world up to the 19th century, indicating that this was the default human sleep pattern for a very long time.

The Decline of Segmented Sleep: The Role of the Industrial Revolution

The practice of segmented sleep began to fade in the late 18th century and largely disappeared by the early 20th century. This profound shift in human behavior was driven by two main factors, both linked to the Industrial Revolution:

The Proliferation of Artificial Light: The most significant factor was the advent of effective and affordable artificial lighting. The introduction of gas street lighting in cities like London and Paris in the early 1800s began to push back the night. At home, the development of better oil lamps, followed by gaslight and eventually the electric light bulb, fundamentally altered humanity's relationship with darkness. People could stay up later, socializing, working, or reading. This compressed the time available for sleep and encouraged a single, consolidated block.
Social and Economic Pressures: The Industrial Revolution brought about a new emphasis on efficiency, productivity, and time management. The factory system required a synchronized workforce that arrived on time and worked long hours. The old, more fluid schedule of segmented sleep was seen as inefficient and lazy. Lying awake for an hour in the middle of the night was no longer viewed as a productive time for prayer and reflection but as a waste of time. The upper classes, who first adopted consolidated sleep as a sign of progress and sophistication, set a new social standard that gradually trickled down.

By the early 20th century, the memory of segmented sleep had faded so completely from the collective consciousness that waking in the middle of the night was redefined and pathologized by the medical community as a disorder: insomnia.

Modern Relevance

Understanding the history of segmented sleep has profound implications for how we view sleep and sleep disorders today.

Reframing Insomnia: Many people who suffer from "maintenance insomnia"—the experience of waking in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep—may simply be experiencing a natural, ancestral sleep pattern. The anxiety and frustration that come with this awakening are a modern cultural construct. Realizing this can alleviate the stress, which ironically often prevents people from falling back asleep.
Scientific Corroboration: In the 1990s, psychiatrist Thomas Wehr conducted a laboratory experiment where subjects were deprived of all artificial light for 14 hours a day. Within a few weeks, their sleep patterns naturally shifted. They began sleeping in two distinct phases, separated by 1-2 hours of quiet wakefulness—almost perfectly mirroring the historical accounts of segmented sleep.

In conclusion, segmented sleep was the dominant and natural way humans slept for millennia, shaped by the rhythm of the sun. Its disappearance is a very recent phenomenon, driven by the technological and cultural shifts of the last 200 years. This lost piece of our history not only offers a fascinating glimpse into the pre-industrial world but also provides a valuable new perspective on our modern struggles with sleep.

The history of segmented sleep patterns before the Industrial Revolution.