Human intelligence first evolved when our ancestors began co-operating to hunt for food and shelter

Human intelligence may have first evolved to help us work together, according to a new study. Research suggests that our ape-like ancestors boosted their brain size when they began to co-operate to hunt for food and shelter. Scientists said that the expanding intelligence of our ancestors in turn helped them better co-operate and take down larger prey, such as mammoths, that they could share with a bigger group. Human intelligence may have first evolved to help us work together, according to a new study. Research suggests that our ape-like ancestors boosted their brain size when they began to co-operate to hunt for food and shelter.