Apes and humans have been sharing a laugh for 15 million years
A University of Warwick study found that great apes and humans share a rhythmic pattern in their laughter that has remained consistent for 15 million years. This discovery suggests that the evolutionary roots of human speech may be linked to the development of laughter in our common ancestors.
Why it matters
Understanding the evolutionary origins of laughter provides critical insights into how complex human communication and speech capabilities developed over millions of years.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
The article reports on scientific research findings without political or social agenda.
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