The aquatic ape theory (AAT) is a controversial hypothesis that suggests that the ancestors of modern humans spent a significant amount of time in water, and that this aquatic lifestyle led to the evolution of several unique human traits.
The theory was first proposed by Alister Hardy, a British marine biologist, in 1960. Hardy argued that a branch of apes was forced by competition over terrestrial habitats to hunt for food such as shellfish on the coast and seabed, leading to adaptations that explained distinctive characteristics of modern humans such as functional hairlessness and bipedalism.
The theory was popularized by Elaine Morgan, a Welsh science writer, in her 1972 book The Descent of Woman. Morgan argued that the aquatic ape hypothesis could explain a wide range of human traits, including:
- Our hairlessness, which makes us more streamlined for swimming and diving.
- Our upright, two-legged walking, which makes wading easier.
- Our layers of subcutaneous fat, which make us better insulated in water (think whale blubber).
- Our large brains, which may have evolved to help us navigate underwater.
- Our ability to sweat, which helps us cool down in hot, humid environments.
- Our ability to hold our breath for long periods of time.
The aquatic ape theory has been met with mixed reactions from the scientific community. Some scientists have found the theory to be intriguing and thought-provoking, while others have dismissed it as pseudoscience.
There is some evidence to support the aquatic ape theory. For example, humans have a higher proportion of subcutaneous fat than other primates, which is thought to be an adaptation for swimming. Humans also have a higher number of sweat glands than other primates, which helps us to cool down in hot, humid environments.
However, there are also some problems with the aquatic ape theory. For example, there is no fossil evidence to support the idea that our ancestors spent a significant amount of time in water. Additionally, the theory does not explain why other primates did not evolve similar adaptations.
Overall, the aquatic ape theory is a controversial hypothesis that has not yet been proven. However, it is an interesting theory that raises some important questions about human evolution.