Before There Were Canopy Tents

Maybe you need a tent for a historical re-enactment or SCA event, or perhaps you just are curious what tents used to be like in the days of yore. In this post, we are going to explore different types of historical tents from a range of cultures and eras so you can understand more about the predecessors to today’s modern canopy tents and camping tents.

Note that while these types of tents have deep historical roots, they are still in use today.

1. Wigwams

A wigwam is a type of tent-like structure that originated among various indigenous tribes in what is now the US and Canada. Some other names for these types of structures include wetu, wickiup and wiigiwaam.

Wigwams are usually set up for longer periods of time, making them semi-permanent rather than completely temporary. The shape of a wigwam is round with a dome, and the frame consists of (typically) wooden arched poles. The material that covers the sides can be bark, rushes, hides, mats, cloth, reeds, or anything else that is handy and effective for providing shelter from the elements.  

2. Tepees

Perhaps the most famous historical tent type is the tepee (or tipi). You have probably seen a tepee at some point in your life; it is a cone-shaped tent featuring a smoke flap. Many different indigenous tribes in North America have used tepees, including the Sioux, the Arapaho, the Pawnee, the Otoe, the Crow, the Blackfeet and others.

People used to live in tepees, though this is not as common nowadays. Today’s tepees are mostly used ceremonially.

We should note that while tepees have a strong North American association for many, similar tent designs have been popular on other continents around the globe since ancient times as well. Sometimes—especially in the contexts of other cultures—we simply refer to them as “bell-shaped” tents or “cone-shaped” tents.

3. Getelds

A geteld is a type of Anglo-Saxon tent that features two vertical poles with a horizontal mast between them. Viewed from the ends, it has an A-frame shape. Viewed from the long sides, it looks more like a trapezoid shape.

While today’s geteld tends tend to feature side openings, historical ones appear to have featured end openings more frequently. The tents tend to be small, and thanks to their minimal masts, relatively lightweight. Sometimes, geteld tents are referred to as “soldier’s tents.”

4. Marquee tents

Many of today’s modern canopy tents are marquee tents. But did you know that marquee tents have been around for hundreds of years?

Indeed, historical marquee tents were popular during the 17th century, especially among nomadic peoples. But they also were used during social events for entertainment and dining—not so different from their typical modern use.

If you are setting up a tent for a re-enactment event or similar activity, you may be tempted to just use a modern canopy tent. But remember, historical marquee tents would have been made out of different materials. So, try and choose a marquee tent that is made out of a material that would have been commonly available in that historical timeframe (i.e. cotton instead of a synthetic).

5.  Trapper tents

Historical trapper tents are simple, single-mast tents that feature a cone shape. What distinguishes them from other cone tents is that rather than the sloped sides going all the way to the ground, there is a low circular sidewall all along the base of the tent. They may be constructed with or without chimney gaps at the top.

A couple of predecessors to the classic trapper tent are the even older Lavvo Tält and Kota Tält tents of Scandinavia. These tents are more like tepees, however, and are typically constructed without the low sidewall.

6. Yurts

One more popular type of ancient tent is the yurt, also called a “ger” in Mongolian. This type of tent has a round shape with a high circular sidewall and a sloped, conical roof with a low pitch. Basically, it is the same general shape as a trapper tent, except that instead of the conical roof taking up most of the vertical space, the sidewall does, giving it more of a traditional “room” shape inside.

The history of yurts dates back two and a half thousand years. While yurts were first used as dwellings by nomadic peoples living in the Central Asian and Black Sea regions, today, modern derivatives of the traditional yurt are finding other uses.

You can find modern yurts in campgrounds. For a relatively low fee, you can book a reservation to stay the night. More expensive yurt accommodations can also be booked for “glamping” purposes. Some people are also living full-time in yurts now as tiny houses.

Modern Canopy Tents vs. Historical Tents

Now you are acquainted with some of the most well-known types of traditional tents that have been in use for thousands of years around the world. How do modern canopy tents compare to these historical tents?

Modern canopy tents are built with the same basic principles in mind: a sturdy frame that distributes weight and forces in a way that offers dependable stability, covered with a durable cloth that shields the occupant from the elements.

The biggest evolution in modern tent design has arguably been the upgrade in available materials. Instead of relying on wooden posts, which can easily break, modern canopy tents use strong metal poles. And instead of heavy cotton that can become drenched in rain, modern canopy tents usually feature lightweight, water-resistant synthetic fabrics.

That means that today’s modern canopy tents:

Can be used in a wider range of weather conditions than historical tents.

• Can provide you with shelter from wind, sun and rain.
• Can last longer than traditional tents (with proper use and care).
• May be lighter and easier to carry than older tents.

We hope you enjoyed learning about the history of tent design across cultures and epochs, as well as how modern tents have evolved. Keep exploring our archives for more educational posts about tents.

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