Lice Reveal Clues to the Origins of Human Clothing

Research led by David Reed at the Florida Museum of Natural History suggests that humans began wearing clothes around 170,000 years ago, as indicated by the DNA of lice, which are closely associated with clothing. This timeline predates human migration out of Africa into colder climates, implying that clothing may have been driven by social or health-related factors rather than just the need for warmth. The study highlights clothing as a crucial technological advancement that enabled human survival and migration, alongside other innovations like fire and tools.