Hunter-gatherers sleep as little as we do — the 8-hour myth dates to 19th century

A new research review combining anthropology, history and genomics finds that hunter-gatherers from Tanzania, Namibia and Bolivia sleep an average of 6.4–7.1 hours per night — no more than modern people. The widely held standard of eight hours was established during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, not from any broad physiological study of adult sleep. Researchers conclude that the real difference between pre-industrial and modern sleep lies elsewhere than total duration.

Similar stories

🏥 Health Too little or too much sleep speeds up biological aging, study finds Science Daily · 20h ago 🏥 Health Poor sleep can cut working life after 50 by nine months, study finds The Guardian Health · 6d ago 🔬 Science Five sleep profiles reveal how rest patterns shape our health and social life Interia Kobieta · 17d ago