Evolutionary Psychology (the podcast) The Evolution of Human Longevity with Mike Gurven
Sep 16, 2025
In this discussion, anthropology professor Mike Gurven from UC Santa Barbara dives into the fascinating evolution of human longevity. He shares insights from his extensive research on non-Western populations, challenging common beliefs about aging and heart disease. They explore how aging varies between modern and traditional societies, the significance of family dynamics, and the contributions of older adults. Additionally, the conversation sheds light on the impact of urban design on health and the evolution of personality traits across different cultures.
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Seven-Decade Human Design
- Humans evolved the potential to live about seven decades; average lifespans are biased by early mortality.
- Mike Gurven argues longevity is quantitative not qualitative: old people always existed, just fewer by proportion.
Mummies Show Occasional Calcification
- Gurven recounts mummy studies showing arterial calcification in ancient individuals across regions.
- Those calcifications don't prove widespread clinical heart disease in living small-scale populations.
Heart Disease Is Not Inevitable
- Many small-scale populations show low rates of atherosclerosis and heart disease compared with industrialized populations.
- Gurven's CT scans in Bolivia found 85% of 45+ adults had no coronary calcification.
