A new study reveals that modern humans apparently possess much weaker bones than hunter gatherer ancestors that was caused by widespread agriculture and human settlements that lead to humans becoming more immobile. 

Scientists have studied the bone remnants of humans who lived in Europe some 33,000 years ago and discovered that factors such as the development of agriculture and the decline of mobility changed human bone density as opposed to diet or other environmental factors.

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These findings have provided a better understanding about the crucial physical change that made humans more susceptible to osteoporosis which is a condition that makes bones thinner and more brittle.

Researchers believe that human bones have evolved when they got used to walking instead of lifting heavy objects or running which can cause more production of calcium that makes bones stronger.

According to Christopher Ruff from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, evidence from earlier human ancestors reveal that they possess stronger bones from weight bearing exercises that can prevent bone loss. However, the drastic shift to weaker bone structure in the past 30,000 years could be influenced either by agriculture, diet, urbanization or even lifestyle changes such as riding horses for transportation.

During the course of this new study, further analysis of arm and leg bone samples has revealed that European bones apparently grew weaker when they began adapting agriculture and increased human settlements that lead to a more sedentary lifestyle says Ruff.

After researchers studied and analyzed bone geometry over time, they determined that leg bone strength became weak beginning from the Mesolithic era some 10,000 years back towards the age of the Roman Empire some 2,500 years ago. However, arm bone strength still remains the same.

Ruff also adds that from the Medieval period, leg bone strength remains the same density as it is today. This study is published in the journal, PNAS. 

TagsHuman evolution, weaker bones modern humans, agriculture modern humans weaker bones, development of agriculture, human bone structure