Why Do Humans Dance When They Hear Music?
12 March 2019, 12:53 | Updated: 12 March 2019, 13:02
Do humans have an innate wish to dance?
Mystery Hour Question
Why do Humans Dance when they Hear Music?
John, Bristol
Answer
**Definitive**
Name:Harry, Salford
Qualifications: Anthropology Degree
Answer: Before humans had verbal language, a beat created unity for people working or moving together, so when people were walking in a group their feet would create a beat. This evolved so that at any ritual or gathering a beat would be used to mirror footsteps and create unity without language. Over time, any sort of rhythmic beating (e.g. the beating of a drum) could be used to create a cohesive group, so dancing is a learnt behaviour through evolution.
