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Research indicates that individuals who have a tendency to sleep and rise early may have a similar genetic makeup to Neanderthals and another extinct species.
A study conducted by the University of California in San Francisco examined the genetic similarities between modern individuals who are early risers and ancient DNA from Neanderthals and Denisovans, in order to identify any common patterns.
Using a database located in the United Kingdom containing genetic, health, and lifestyle data from 500,000 individuals, it was discovered that those with similar early-rising genes as Neanderthals reported a preference for waking up early.
According to Tony Capra, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of California, San Francisco, we have discovered numerous Neanderthal traits that consistently link to a tendency for being an early riser.
According to Dr. Capra, a significant number of modern humans may possess the Neanderthal gene due to its advantageous effects in aiding their ancestors’ adjustment to living in colder regions of Europe with higher elevations.
According to him, being a morning person may not necessarily be the key to success. Instead, it may be an indication of having a more efficient internal clock that can adjust to changes in daylight throughout the year.
In regions closer to the poles, having a clock that can adapt to seasonal changes in light levels is advantageous.
A Neanderthal skeleton that has been reconstructed.
According to Professor Mark Maslin of University College London, who was not part of the research, there is now genetic proof that confirms that some individuals are naturally inclined to be early risers.
During the development of humans in tropical Africa, the typical length of a day was 12 hours. However, modern hunter-gatherers now only spend 30% of their waking hours gathering food, making 12 hours seem like a significant amount of time.
As one moves north, the days become increasingly shorter during winter, making food scarce. Therefore, it was practical for Neanderthals and humans to gather food as soon as daylight allowed.
Around 70,000 years ago, humans left Africa and traveled to Eurasia. There, they came across Neanderthals, who were already well-adapted to the colder weather conditions.
For hundreds of thousands of years, Neanderthals and Denisovans existed, engaging in activities such as hunting and gathering plants. However, they disappeared from the fossil record approximately 40,000 years ago.
Source: independent.co.uk
