Humans are a unique species among primates, and while this does not mean we have evolved beyond the circle of existence, it is worth noting that humans lack body hair, having only some hair on the head and private areas.
The hair on our bodies is vastly different from that of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, which is why humans are often referred to as naked apes.
Humans are the only species to develop intelligent civilization.
Humans are still quite special, as the only species to develop an intelligent civilization throughout the 3.8 billion-year history of life on Earth. We are also relatively lonely, with only the Homo sapiens species currently existing under the Homo genus.
<pAmong existing organisms, humans share a common ancestry with other species. The closest relationship is with the chimpanzees that roamed the African savannah six million years ago; our ancestors and those of the chimpanzees parted ways, embarking on their own evolutionary paths. Chimpanzees still retain body hair, while humans have lost it throughout evolution.
Among the millions of species on Earth, only humans wear clothes and hats to keep warm; so what is the underlying reason for this phenomenon?
The answer is quite simple: when it’s cold, one must find ways to keep warm. The loss of body hair during evolution and the thin layer of subcutaneous fat make it impossible to maintain the necessary body temperature for normal activities. Subsequently, this question simplifies into a reason for why humans have lost their body hair.
Human hair loss during evolution is related to human hunting habits.
The prevailing view today suggests that human hair loss during evolution is linked to our hunting habits. Humans originated in Africa and evolved from ancient apes. As they descended from the trees and began walking upright, this adaptation was beneficial for chasing prey and observing enemies across the African plains. After all, early humans were relatively weak and vulnerable, often foraging for wild fruits and occasionally scavenging leftovers from other animals.
Of course, hair could prevent exposure to sunlight, while pubic hair serves a protective function. The simplest example is that both males and females have armpit hair, which can reduce friction while running, as the arms must swing for the body to maintain balance.
Pubic hair serves a protective function.
Throughout the long process of development and evolution, humans gradually lost body hair, which was advantageous for activities on the African savannah. Additionally, having hair all over the body made humans more susceptible to parasites, which was detrimental to their health.
While hair loss has been beneficial for human development and evolution, particularly in terms of hunting, it also has its drawbacks. Without hair protection, our skin is exposed directly to an environment that can cause injury, especially in certain sensitive areas. Moreover, without hair protection, we are more susceptible to cold.
Loss of body hair during evolution led to the need for clothing for warmth.
To address these issues, humans have adapted by using various types of natural materials to protect sensitive areas from harm.
So, how do scientists know when humans started wearing clothes? To answer this question, we must admire the intelligence of scientists. They study the history of human clothing by examining lice. Lice are parasites that live on most mammals and feed on blood. Hence, lice are particularly memorable from the late 80s and 90s, but they are much less common now.
Lice are parasites that live on most mammals and feed on blood.
During that time, as humans migrated from Africa to Asia and Europe, they encountered various climatic environments, and the cold weather gradually compelled them to wear clothing.
Human hair loss and the gradual adoption of clothing occurred throughout the process of development and evolution, primarily to adapt to their living environment for better survival.
