Original title: eyebrows are crucial to human evolution and help express complex emotions
According to foreign media reports, scientists recently found that eyebrows play a crucial role in human evolution, because human ancestors learned to communicate through eyebrows in the first place.
A York University study found that using highly flexible eyebrows to express emotions can help early humans convey information such as recognition and sympathy. Scientists believe that this is crucial for human survival, because with this communication ability, humans can work together instead of struggling alone in the wild. This may also be the reason why modern humans have smoother forehead and clearer eyebrows than early humans.
The team used a 3D design software to study the brow ridge of a fossil ancient human skull called Kabwe 1. This ancient man lived between 200000 and 600000 years ago.
On this basis, they rejected two theories commonly used to explain the prominent brow ridges of ancient humans. One theory holds that the brow ridge is to fill the gap between the skull and the orbit of ancient humans; the other holds that the brow ridge is to maintain the stability of the skull during chewing. Now researchers point out that this change may be related to social factors.
Paul O'Higgins, a professor of anatomy, said: 'we think that social interaction may play a role. '
The researchers explained that the human face has shrunk over the past 100000 years, and the communicating forehead is the 'by-product' of this change. Since 20000 years ago, with the transformation of human civilization from hunting to agriculture, the types of food and physical activities have gradually become consistent, and this process of change has accelerated.
Dr penny spikins, co-author of the study and from the school of Archaeology at York University, said: 'modern humans are the last to survive. When our close relative Neanderthals died out, we quickly occupied the world and even survived in extreme environments. This has a lot to do with building large social networks. For example, prehistoric and modern human beings have learned to avoid inbreeding and to go to distant relatives and friends when things are difficult. '
Dr. spitkins said eyebrow movements not only help us express complex emotions, but also help us understand other people's emotions. For example, 'eyebrow picking quickly' has the meaning of 'recognizing each other and being willing to socialize' in many cultures, while 'frowning can express compassion'.
She added: 'compared with other extinct human offshoots, modern humans have enigmatic communication skills. The eyebrow is the last piece of the puzzle. '