Mosh-Pits Ape Ancient Tribal Ritual, According To Science

A study by anthropologists has found that metal fans in mosh-pits have evolved to communicate with each other like remote tribes in Papua New Guinea.

According to a report in the Irish Independent, you lot have "rules for behaviour in the front-of-stage "mosh-pit" that are passed down by "elders", there are gift-sharing rituals at concerts and dark cathartic music, which mirror rites among Papuan tribes that have changed little in 40,000 years.

Lindsay Bishop, a researcher at University College London, has spent 10 years studying metal fans, and told the Irish Independent that her research demonstrated how fundamental some tenets of our humanity were: "It recognises this completely alien culture of mosh-pits, heavy metal music and rituals links into this indigenous clan living in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea," she said.

She also mentioned that moshing was transgenerational, with fathers and grandfathers passing on the etiquette of the pit. Older generations supposedly teach the etiquette of the pit and new kids learned moshing was not a fight but a way to release tension and create strong bonds with friends.

While we question the bit about moshing with your grandad, we're inclined to agree with most of Lindsay's findings.

Here's a sizeable mosh-pit, for your viewing pleasure: