It all depends on what sense you are speaking of; because in the "olden days," as you say, candles were used in order to provide some light in dark places.
Discuss the purification methods used in the olden days
The moon and stars.
cotton wool
they used sun dials
what was used to write with a special tool called a stylus
animal fats and hide
they had oil lanterns and candles.
Sunlight, obviously. Fire: candles, lamps, torches, etc.
Depending on how far back you want to go people have used oil lamps, candles, fireplaces, tapers.
Discuss the purification methods used in the olden days
in the olden days we used smoke,light reflection and beacons
Discuss the purification methods used in the olden days
Cloth.
on the water.
In the olden days there were no banks so people used to keep their money under their heads
letters
guns and cannons