Chimps’ rhythmic drumming could shed light on music’s evolutionary roots

While chimpanzees are not producing human-like musical rhythms, their drumming shares some of its fundamental properties, researchers found. Photograph: Adrian Soldati

They might not produce Gershwin hits, but chimpanzees have got rhythm, researchers have found in a study they say sheds light on the evolutionary origins of music.

Scientists have previously found chimpanzees drum on the buttress roots of trees to send information to each other, with each individual having their own signature style.