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Human Brains Decreased in Size 3,000 Years Ago, New Study Says

We Never Know

No Slack
“A surprising fact about humans today is that our brains are smaller compared to the brains of our Pleistocene ancestors,” said Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, a researcher in the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth College.

“Why our brains have reduced in size has been a big mystery for anthropologists.”

To disentangle this mystery, Dr. DeSilva and colleagues set out to study the historical patterns of human brain evolution, comparing their findings with what is known in ant societies to offer broad insights.

Human Brains Decreased in Size 3,000 Years Ago, New Study Says | Sci-News.com
 

Suave

Simulated character
“A surprising fact about humans today is that our brains are smaller compared to the brains of our Pleistocene ancestors,” said Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, a researcher in the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth College.

“Why our brains have reduced in size has been a big mystery for anthropologists.”

To disentangle this mystery, Dr. DeSilva and colleagues set out to study the historical patterns of human brain evolution, comparing their findings with what is known in ant societies to offer broad insights.

Human Brains Decreased in Size 3,000 Years Ago, New Study Says | Sci-News.com

I've been taught tool size by me does not always matter, but rather how it's used that matters most.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
“A surprising fact about humans today is that our brains are smaller compared to the brains of our Pleistocene ancestors,” said Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, a researcher in the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth College.

“Why our brains have reduced in size has been a big mystery for anthropologists.”

To disentangle this mystery, Dr. DeSilva and colleagues set out to study the historical patterns of human brain evolution, comparing their findings with what is known in ant societies to offer broad insights.

Human Brains Decreased in Size 3,000 Years Ago, New Study Says | Sci-News.com

The size of the brain has no bearing on things like intelligence or emotionality. That comes from interconnections between neurons, not overall mass.

For instance a Neanderthal brain was about 200-300cc bigger then modern humans. And it appears we were equally as capable of things such as tool creation and caring for the sick and old.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I'd like the future evolutionary trend to be human minds interfacing with A.I.; increasing the mind's computational power, critical thinking and learning capabilities.

I'm working only on the smaller brain aspect.
Been getting great success.
 

danieldemol

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Does the OP mean there was a time a man's brain could fit more than thoughts about breasts and cars?
 

Heyo

Veteran Member
“A surprising fact about humans today is that our brains are smaller compared to the brains of our Pleistocene ancestors,” said Dr. Jeremy DeSilva, a researcher in the Department of Anthropology at Dartmouth College.

“Why our brains have reduced in size has been a big mystery for anthropologists.”

To disentangle this mystery, Dr. DeSilva and colleagues set out to study the historical patterns of human brain evolution, comparing their findings with what is known in ant societies to offer broad insights.

Human Brains Decreased in Size 3,000 Years Ago, New Study Says | Sci-News.com
Why are they surprised? It is known for some time that domesticated animals have reduced brain size compared to their wild forms. The safety of a home frees them (and us) from all the need for senses and instincts to survive in the wild.
 
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George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I'll throw out a theory that probably won't be to popular.

Humanity in general actually suffered a reversal of its advancement after the destruction of Atlantean civilization. Refugees from Atlantis began interbreeding with less advanced aboriginal populations of the world resulting in backwards evolution of intelligence/spirituality and brain size.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
I'll throw out a theory that probably won't be to popular.

Humanity in general actually suffered a reversal of its advancement after the destruction of Atlantean civilization. Refugees from Atlantis began interbreeding with less advanced aboriginal populations of the world resulting in backwards evolution of intelligence/spirituality and brain size.

I'm a fan of that theory. But more as a premise for a novel than anything.
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
The brain becoming more efficient might explain this - shorter connections between neurons (faster transit) and less energy required, for example.
 

Kooky

Freedom from Sanity
I'd like the future evolutionary trend to be human minds interfacing with A.I.; increasing the mind's computational power, critical thinking and learning capabilities.
So in your ideal future, millions of people would be rendered braindead by a single blackout?
 
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