Why Humans Collected Crystals for 780,000 Years: A New Discovery

Topic: Biology

Scientists studied chimpanzees to understand why early humans collected crystals. They found that chimpanzees are naturally attracted to crystals due to their transparency and geometric shape.

Archaeologists have discovered that early human relatives deliberately collected crystals as far back as 780,000 years ago. But what made these unusual stones so appealing? A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that the attraction to crystals may have deep evolutionary origins.

Researchers led by Prof Juan Manuel García-Ruiz studied how chimpanzees respond to crystals. They found that enculturated chimpanzees can distinguish crystals from other stones and are naturally attracted to their transparency and geometric shape.

In two experiments, the researchers gave two groups of chimpanzees access to crystals. In the first experiment, a large crystal was placed beside a regular rock, and the chimpanzees quickly became fascinated with the crystal. They rotated and tilted it to view it from different angles and even picked up the crystal and carried it back to their dormitories.

In the second experiment, smaller quartz crystals were mixed into a pile of pebbles, and the chimpanzees quickly selected them. One chimpanzee named Sandy displayed particularly interesting behavior by carrying both pebbles and crystals in her mouth to sort them into separate groups.

Why It Matters

This discovery can help us understand why early humans collected crystals and how it relates to our own behavior. It also highlights the importance of studying animal behavior to learn more about human evolution.

Key Facts

• Early human relatives collected crystals as far back as 780,000 years ago.
• Chimpanzees are naturally attracted to crystals due to their transparency and geometric shape.
• The study suggests that the attraction to crystals may have deep evolutionary origins.
• Enculturated chimpanzees can distinguish crystals from other stones.
• The researchers found that transparency and geometric shape were the two attractors guiding chimpanzees.

Key Terms

Enculturated

Raised by humans in a way similar to how they would be raised in their natural environment

Transparency

The ability of light to pass through an object without being blocked

Implications

This discovery can help us understand why early humans collected crystals and how it relates to our own behavior. It also highlights the importance of studying animal behavior to learn more about human evolution.