The cavemen had it right.

They huddled by the fire cooking the kill of the day, sharing stories, snoozing under the stars. Staring at the flames, humankind bonded.

We’ve since swapped loin cloths for designer clothes, and replaced the kill with the catch of the day. But our archetypal need for a warm fire persists.

The makers of the chat pit know this. O.W. Lee (www.owlee.com), the California manufacturer of outdoor furniture, created a table that holds its own bonfire. Gas or wood, copper or mosaic, the table encircles the fire and we sit around the table.

Garden Cottage, in Fairfield (www.teakwickerandmore.com), sells chat pits to homeowners who want to create a “relaxing atmosphere” in their yards, according to sales associate Chris Manley. The gas chat pits come with an end table, which cleverly disguises the propane tank. Then you need matching outdoor chairs. You don’t plan on sitting on the ground to roast your wienies, do you?

Top-of-the-line clan-building doesn’t come cheap. O.W. Lee’s tables run up to $4,200. Or, you can get smaller, less expensive fire pits and chimeneas for a few hundred dollars. Garden Cottage carries some 60 models.

Finally, consider adding this season’s hot seller, the Dune Day Bed, by Barlow Tyrie, (www.teak.com). Plus, a top that looks like a sail. You’ll need about $6,000 for the bed and sail.

But think about crashing in your day bed, fire burning bright in the chat pit. Nesting takes on a whole new meaning. Just keep your loin cloth on. You never know when a neighboring tribe will be by to visit.