Scientists have uncovered new evidence suggesting that the origins of laughter may stretch back 15 million years, a behavior common to all great apes. The findings, based on an analysis of primate vocalizations, indicate that this form of expression has deep evolutionary roots.
Evolutionary Roots of Hilarity
Laughter plays a significant role in human culture and relationships. The fact that other great apes, including bonobos and gorillas, also exhibit laughter suggests it provides broad benefits and has a long evolutionary history. Researchers examined recordings of laughter from orangutans, gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees, and human children during playful interactions.
The study revealed that the isochronous nature of laughter, characterized by clear sound intervals like “ha ha ha,” was likely present in the last common ancestor of the Hominid family. This family includes all great apes and extinct relatives like Neanderthals. According to researchers, while different ape species have developed unique vocal repertoires influenced by their social environments, laughter has remained a conserved vocalization across species and age groups within the Hominid family.
The team’s analysis indicates that great apes have been laughing in a way recognizable to modern humans for at least 15 million years. Furthermore, apes more closely related to humans tend to possess more complex and varied laughter patterns, similar to the diversity of human vocalizations such as guffaws, cackles, and snorts.
Norman Pearlstine is the Chief Editor of News Raise and focuses on Business news. His responsibility is to oversee the editorial content including business, commodities, personal investments and the stock market.
