Image copyright Getty Our ancestors slept less than we came to the conclusion the American scientists.
They studied the sleep of indigenous ethnic peoples of Africa and South American way of life is most close to the way of the ancient communities of hunters and gatherers.
During the 1165 nights of sleep, scientists have observed 98 participants in the study and found that during the night they sleep on average 6.5 hours.
In contrast, the majority of US residents are sleeping for seven hours. It was established as a result of a large-scale survey.
The researchers also found that the temperature of the air to a greater extent affect the way a person sleeps, than lighting.
“I suddenly I realized that the rapidly dwindling ethnic groups [in the study] – our last chance to figure out what was the human dream as long as we do not nasozdavali different civilizations, “- says Professor Jerome Segal of the University of California.
“It is absolutely clear is that they have not slept more than we do,” – adds the scientist.
A large-scale experiment
The artificial light, the TV late at night, and now smartphones that we do not leave even in bed: it is assumed that modern technology interfere with normal sleep.
To check whether this is so, the researchers conducted an experiment with the participation of representatives of ethnic Hadza of Tanzania, the San people of Namibia and Tsimane Indians from Bolivia.
On the volunteers put a special wristwatch with which to monitor the bed.
“The time and duration of sleep in all three groups were similar. It gives me some confidence that the result is associated with the manifestation of them belonging to the same biological type of people, and not due to life situations in which they are located. After all these situations in three groups of different “- said Professor Segal.
In addition, all study participants slept 6 hours and 25 minutes, the researchers also found that they very rarely go to take a nap in the daytime.
No insomnia
According to the Some records Europeans wakes up at night, and thus, their nights sleep consisted of two parts. At the same time, scientists say, among the earliest communities of hunters and gatherers was nothing like that.
The scientists were surprised to find that the natural light is not so affected by the state of wakefulness and sleepiness, as is commonly thought. Most of the participants of the experiment fell asleep after about three and a half hours after sunset.
An important factor is the temperature.
“We saw an amazing thing: the dream lasted all the while lowering the temperature. Once it reached the lower limit, people are waking up, “- says Segal.
Although the ancient people sleep much less than prescribed by a sleep (7-9 hours per day), they did not complain of fatigue, the scientists said.
Insomnia was very uncommon in the early stages of human life, and in two of the three groups participating in the study of such a word is not even in the vocabulary.
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