Humans have definitely made baskets for tens of thousands of years, with the earliest baskets found being around 12,000 years old (they were found in Egypt) – but some believe that basket making may have been practiced as long as a million years ago. Basically, for as long as people have had something to carry, they have picked plants and made containers from them. It is an understandable animal instinct – even a bird’s nest is, after all, a kind of basket.
Throughout history, baskets have been made with whatever material was closest to hand – willow, twigs, bamboo, wheat, grass, wicker and even glass, plastic and metal in modern times have all been used to make baskets, and all work very well, although in general the baskets made from more solid materials will be more sturdy. The chances are that you use a basket yourself quite often – a metal shopping basket is just as much a basket as any other, and follows many of the same principles of construction.
People in poorer countries today still use plant-material baskets for many practical purposes, making them by hand from the local wild plants and carrying them around on their heads, just as was done in Ancient Greece. Some primitive houses in these areas bear a striking resemblance to baskets in their construction, as basket making is one of the few skills the people have.
Baskets were used by hunter-gatherers to bring back large amounts of fish, fruit and nuts – and, interestingly enough, it is still popular to give these things in gift baskets today. Gift baskets are arguably one of the oldest and most traditional presents around, and that applies not only in the West but also throughout the world. An ornate basket full of fresh produce is one of the nicest gifts you can give someone – baskets are not only beautiful, after all, but are capable of holding anything.