The origin of human music is obscure because it can appear and for various purposes. Archaeologists have discovered musical instruments in ruins of Egyptian and Indian civilizations, and in similar settlements around the world since prehistoric birth. Some theories also show that human music is inspiring together with human language, although the evidence is based.
That being said, scientists have been exploring the music of chimpanzees, the closest relative of mankind. Researchers Reported on May 9 Both western and eastern chimpanzees have spontaneous drum behavior. They also say that some people can make drum sequences using very stable pancake intervals, with rhythms found in human music being very matched.
The discovery of West African chimpanzees being able to use two limbs (alternating hands or feet) at a time to maintain longer drum sequences suggests greater levels of motion control than previously thought. The researchers also said that these drum sessions were not intended to communicate, but were a playtime event.
Scientists have studied animal vocalization more than the rhythm and percussion between animals. According to the researchers, the drum sounds they observed showed that the precursors of human music rhythms did not “start from scratch” but were derived from characteristics of common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees.
The difference in drum capacity between Eastern and Western black chimpanzees also suggests a potential cultural or genetic basis for rhythmic expression, the researchers added.
publishing – May 11, 2025 at 05:30 AM IST
