According to Biblical archeologists, Christian magazine articles and various ministries, documentaries, etc. : During that period, families frequently lived in a single room that was also used for animals. Many made their homes in and lived in caves. People frequently used the same (usually hand made; self-made) items such as mangers for multiple purposes and they could be found in many different locations. Manger meaning "to eat" applied not only to food for animals, but were used for human food storage also and could be found in their larders (pantries) whether in the actual home itself or an outbuilding used for food storage purpose. They often needed to store what they grew themselves so such outbuildings just for food storage following harvests were not uncommon and less risk of it being eaten by their own or wild animals. The mangers were also used by businesses and shops. Much like milk crates today are used for more than just transporting milk and many other items are used for multiple purposes. The mangers were often made of clay combined with hay then covered with smooth rocks or were carved into nearby stone and outcrops by those who lived in caves and by those who lived in desert areas where wood was more scarce. Those lucky enough to live in areas with a sufficient supply of suitable, sturdy trees tended to make them out of wood -- particularly longer lasting hardwoods, such as oak, which were less to prone to mold and rot than soft woods, better able to withstand everything, and also able to provide better insulation since there was no air conditioning to protect the contents against heat. Not everything could be stored in clay pots; some items required better circulation and larger space, and a more durable, less breakable solution.
According to Biblical archeologists, Christian magazine articles and various ministries, documentaries, etc. : During that period, families frequently lived in a single room that was also used for animals. Many made their homes in and lived in caves. People frequently used the same (usually hand made; self-made) items such as mangers for multiple purposes and they could be found in many different locations. Manger meaning "to eat" applied not only to food for animals, but were used for human food storage also and could be found in their larders (pantries) whether in the actual home itself or an outbuilding used for food storage purpose. They often needed to store what they grew themselves so such outbuildings just for food storage following harvests were not uncommon and less risk of it being eaten by their own or wild animals. The mangers were also used by businesses and shops. Much like milk crates today are used for more than just transporting milk and many other items are used for multiple purposes. The mangers were often made of clay combined with hay then covered with smooth rocks or were carved into nearby stone and outcrops by those who lived in caves and by those who lived in desert areas where wood was more scarce. Those lucky enough to live in areas with a sufficient supply of suitable, sturdy trees tended to make them out of wood -- particularly longer lasting hardwoods, such as oak, which were less to prone to mold and rot than soft woods, better able to withstand everything, and also able to provide better insulation since there was no air conditioning to protect the contents against heat. Not everything could be stored in clay pots; some items required better circulation and larger space, and a more durable, less breakable solution.