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– It is a provocative theory, which the researchers themselves admit to sounding handy. But their analysis of ancient bones in a cave in Spain suggests that the first humans hibernated – or something close – during the winter, they say. guardian. Scientists examining 430,000-year-old skeletal remains found that they bore the same telltale signs of hibernation as the bones of bears and other animals known to sleep during the winter, according to Science Alert. Among the evidence is evidence that bone growth has been interrupted for long periods. Hibernation is also a difficult thing to do, and when it doesn’t go well, hibernators suffer from a certain set of conditions, such as kidney disease. The bones show evidence, the researchers write in the journal Anthropology.
“The notion that humans may suffer from a hypometabolic state analogous to hibernation may sound like science fiction, but the fact that hibernation is used by mammals and very primitive primates suggests that the genetic basis and physiology of such hypometabolism could be preserved in many mammalian species including humans. “Researchers note that in the area where the bones were found, the first humans would have experienced a severe shortage of food and cold temperatures throughout the winter. Hibernation, then, may seem like a viable survival strategy. . guardian he talks to a forensic anthropologist who is intrigued and predicts that the study will generate debate. But, he adds, “there are other explanations for the variations observed in the bones found in Sima and these must be fully addressed before realistic conclusions can be reached.” (Read more stories about discoveries.)