Chimpanzee study reveals musical secrets of humans’ ancient ancestor
Chimps drum like people do. Here’s what that tells us about evolution
- Chimpanzees drum on tree trunks with regular rhythms, suggesting rhythmic drumming may predate humans, scientists say.
- Analysis of 371 drumming bouts by chimpanzees demonstrates a clear pattern, offering insights into the potential rhythmic abilities of our last common ancestor, who lived about six million years ago.
- The drumming, audible for over a kilometre, is believed to be a form of long-distance communication with individual chimps possessing unique drumming styles.
- Chimps from different regions of Africa drum with distinctly different rhythms.
- This research reinforces the idea that rhythm plays a significant role in chimpanzee communication and potentially predates humans.