|
|
Another thing that Edward. Wilson mentioned in his book is the "African Savannah Hypothesis" which he used to explain our affinity for, and the high price tags we place on high-rise infrastructure, especially those near water.
The hypothesis is that what initially separated our ancestors from those of modern apes was a migration from the forest onto the African Savanna. As you might imagine, on the African savanna vegetation is scarce, a fact that would have forced our ancestors to either go back to the forest and evolve with our herbivore cousins or to learn to chase down prey in the open grasslands. If you've ever tried to race/ ambush a wild animal without trees to hide behind then you'd likely realize that having high ground and open visibility can make a difference. Were you in the middle of one of the hottest places on earth you'd likely also realize that being next to water tends to attract food (in addition to allowing you to not die of thirst). So it is quite likely that our minds are specifically evolved to feel some kind of satisfaction or security when we are on the high ground and next to water.
***I have yet to find theories on the following, so take this as speculation.
Consider how apes survive without building shelters. Their natural habitat is the forest which gives overhead protection from the rain and sun for the most part. Having lived outside I can attest that overhead shelter is often imperative, but horizontal shelter is not. On the African Savannah however, how likely is it to find the convenience of one without the other? Much more likely than an overhead canopy of trees would be a cave and eventually a constructed dwelling - both of which would most likely give horizontal cover in addition to overhead cover - the beginning of walls.
The hypothesis is that what initially separated our ancestors from those of modern apes was a migration from the forest onto the African Savanna. As you might imagine, on the African savanna vegetation is scarce, a fact that would have forced our ancestors to either go back to the forest and evolve with our herbivore cousins or to learn to chase down prey in the open grasslands. If you've ever tried to race/ ambush a wild animal without trees to hide behind then you'd likely realize that having high ground and open visibility can make a difference. Were you in the middle of one of the hottest places on earth you'd likely also realize that being next to water tends to attract food (in addition to allowing you to not die of thirst). So it is quite likely that our minds are specifically evolved to feel some kind of satisfaction or security when we are on the high ground and next to water.
***I have yet to find theories on the following, so take this as speculation.
Consider how apes survive without building shelters. Their natural habitat is the forest which gives overhead protection from the rain and sun for the most part. Having lived outside I can attest that overhead shelter is often imperative, but horizontal shelter is not. On the African Savannah however, how likely is it to find the convenience of one without the other? Much more likely than an overhead canopy of trees would be a cave and eventually a constructed dwelling - both of which would most likely give horizontal cover in addition to overhead cover - the beginning of walls.
