New research reveals that human laughter may have emerged 15 million years ago in a common ancestor
New scientific evidence suggests that laughter, a common behavior among humans and other great apes, may have its evolutionary roots in an ancestor that lived at least 15 million years ago. Recordings of the sounds of laughter, both from people and primates, suggest that the characteristic rhythmic pattern of “ha ha ha” was already present in this ancestral lineage.
Despite being considered a “best medicine”, laughter is a fundamental element in human culture and daily social interactions. The finding that bonobos, gorillas and other great apes also demonstrate this form of vocal expression reinforces the idea that laughter has broad benefits and a very ancient evolutionary origin.
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To uncover the trajectory of hilarity, researchers recorded and examined the laughter of four orangutans, two gorillas, three bonobos, four chimpanzees and four human children, observing them during play, fights and tickling moments. This comparative analysis was essential to trace the evolutionary path of behavior.
The results obtained indicated that the isochronous nature of laughter – that is, the presence of distinct sound intervals such as “ha ha ha” – probably existed in the last common ancestor of the Hominidae family. This family includes all great apes, and also includes extinct relatives such as Neanderthals.
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As stated by the scientists, led by Chiara De Gregorio of the University of Warwick, “while all major branches of the family Hominidae have developed distinct vocal repertoires, shaped by their specific socioecologies, one vocalization has been conserved across species and age and sex classes: laughter.”
The team’s analysis demonstrated that “great apes laugh in a way that has been recognizable to modern humans for at least 15 million years.” Furthermore, primates with greater genetic proximity to humans have more elaborate and varied laughs, similar to the diversity of laughs and sounds we emit.
In summary, the study offers a deep understanding of the antiquity and importance of laughter in communication and social bonds, from our earliest ancestors to the complexity of today’s expressions.
