Scientists have discovered that the first jokes in human history originated about 2 million years ago.
Research on humorous drawings in ancient caves indicates that early humans appeared to enjoy teasing the disabled, the limping, or those who tripped; they favored what was somewhat clumsy and silly.
The remaining “funny picture” on the rock wall depicts a scene where a member of the ancient human community trips over a stone. This is considered the oldest known form of “playful jest” to date. This drawing is estimated to be around 1.8 to 2 million years old.
Interestingly, this artwork still elicits laughter from contemporary audiences.
In the painting, every movement is captured, from the moment the person is walking to when they stumble. It resembles a short comedy clip that we often encounter in animated shows, such as “Tom and Jerry.”
The Sun reports that our ancient ancestors also turned to humor and jokes as a lifeline to escape the stresses and hardships of daily life. The “headaches” faced by ancient people were numerous.
Moreover, scientists indicate that ancient humans used humorous drawings to express their emotions to others at a time when they were not yet capable of verbal expression.
It is also fascinating to note that, 4 million years ago, early humans could produce sounds reminiscent of what we now call “laughter.” At that time, “laughter” likely sounded like wheezing and grunting, as researchers speculate.
Only about 2 million years ago did “laughter” in its true sense begin to emerge, as facial muscles had evolved enough to allow it. At this point, laughter could be regarded as a means of communication and emotional expression.
