Chimpanzees also like sparkling stones, just like humans.

Research shows that chimpanzees are also attracted to sparkling stones, similar to the human response to beauty.

The image shows an experiment where a chimpanzee is given a sparkling quartz crystal. Just like humans, it picks it up, examines it closely, turns it around in the light, and even refuses to let go. - Photo: Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz

Numerous archaeological findings suggest that our human ancestors collected stones such as quartz and calcite from around 780,000 years ago. Remarkably, these stones were not used as tools or for any other apparent practical purpose. They appear to have been kept simply for their aesthetic appeal.

Today, humans are still fascinated by crystals, even attributing healing or spiritual meanings to them. But new research shows we're not the only species captivated by these geometric structures. Even animals like chimpanzees are fascinated by the sparkle.

A study led by scientist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz, published in Frontiers in Psychology , conducted at a primate rescue center near Madrid in March of this year, where two groups of chimpanzees had become accustomed to a human environment, showed this.

In the first experiment, scientists placed a large quartz crystal next to a similarly sized sandstone. Initially, the chimpanzees were curious about both, but quickly lost interest in the ordinary rock and focused entirely on the crystal.

They rotate, observe from various angles, and even carry the crystals with them when moving. One chimpanzee even carried the crystals with it while climbing and eating.

In another group, one chimpanzee quickly grabbed both objects and carried them into the sleeping area. When the researchers wanted the crystal back, they had to exchange it for bananas and yogurt, showing that the chimpanzee truly valued the object.

In the next experiment, the scientists placed piles of pebbles mixed with small crystals. The chimpanzees quickly and purposefully picked out the crystals, spun them under the light, held them up to their eyes to observe, and even held them in their mouths.

Such behavior of holding objects in their mouths is very rare, suggesting they may consider crystals to be something special.

In the third experiment, when pyrite, a type of metallic crystal, was added, the chimpanzees were still able to distinguish and separate each type based on brightness, shape, and structure.

Researchers suggest that chimpanzees are attracted to the geometric symmetry and light-reflecting properties of crystals, characteristics rare in nature, where most objects have irregular shapes.

The study emphasizes that this interest "goes far beyond the novelty factor."

According to scientist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz, crystals may have played a role in the development of abstract thinking and mathematics in early humans. He suggests that, if his findings are accurate, sensitivity to such objects may have existed for at least 7 million years, since the time of the common ancestor between humans and chimpanzees.

This discovery opens up a new way of understanding: what we consider "aesthetics" or "emotional connection to beauty" may not be entirely a product of modern culture, but rather a deep-seated biological heritage.

The fascination with shiny things may have been present in the primate brains for millions of years, and it remains evident in us today.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tinh-tinh-cung-thich-da-lap-lanh-nhu-con-nguoi-20260420092443176.htm