A team of scientists was able to trace genetic links between chimpanzee groups over thousands of years, allowing them to reveal some parts of the history of these animal cultures.
Although chimpanzee tools such as sticks and stems are perishable, making it difficult to record their history, the team was able to trace genetic links between chimpanzee groups over thousands of years, said lead author Cassandra Gunasekaram from the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Zurich.
The team included researchers from prestigious universities and research institutions in Zurich, St Andrews, Barcelona, Cambridge, Konstanz and Vienna, with the aim of using recent discoveries in genetics to discover unknown aspects of chimpanzee cultural history.
They used new genomics approaches to study the feeding practices that chimpanzees learn from their peers, such as using plant sponges to obtain water or using more complex tools.
And he believes Scientists That this Animals Not limited to use Tools Rather, it has developed in ways that are similar to the cultural development that humanity has witnessed throughout the ages.
More than just simple tools
One interesting example concerns the use of this genus of Monkeys In the area Congo Complex tools consist of several stages. First, chimpanzees use a sturdy stick to dig a deep tunnel in tough soil to reach an underground termite colony. Then they make another tool by pulling a long plant stem between their teeth to form a brush-like head, which they then use to extract termites from burrows.
This technique is not random or individual, but rather a cultural heritage that is passed down through generations.
Research has shown that these complex tools are strongly linked between different chimpanzee groups, indicating that these cultures are transmitted over long periods of time, reflecting an amazing ability to transfer knowledge.
The role of females in transmitting culture
The role of females in transmitting this knowledge is pivotal. Studies have shown that it is females, rather than males, who migrate to new communities to avoid inbreeding.
These migrations contribute to the spread of cultural ideas and innovations among different groups. Therefore, these movements can be responsible for the transfer of complex cultural technologies between societies.
Although chimpanzee cultures are relatively stable compared to humans, these animals are able to evolve their lifestyles and technologies over generations.
While human technology has evolved from the Stone Ages to the Space Age, chimpanzee cultures do not appear to have undergone radical changes at the same pace, suggesting that human abilities to build more sophisticated cultures are unique.
