The Ulas Family Mystery - Walking On Fours In A Modern World

Discover the incredible story of a Turkish family that walks on all fours and the scientific journey to understand why.

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• April 22, 2024

The Ulas family from Turkey has captured global attention due to their unusual method of walking on all fours. This peculiar ability, which initially baffled scientists, led to numerous studies to uncover the reason behind their unique locomotion.

Recent advances in medical science have finally shed light on this intriguing phenomenon, revealing insights into human biology and evolution.

In the quiet province of Turkey resides the Ulas family, known worldwide for their distinctive way of walking. This family, unlike any other, moves predominantly on all fours.

Their story gained prominence following extensive studies and a documentary titled "The Family That Walks On All Fours," which intrigued both the scientific community and the general public alike.

The interest in the Ulas family began when local scientists published a medical paper about them, which caught the eye of evolutionary psychologist Professor Nicholas Humphrey. He and his team embarked on a journey to understand this unusual trait, initially speculated as a 'devolution' by some Turkish scientists a theory Humphrey found both insulting and scientifically irresponsible.

As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that out of 18 siblings, six were affected by a unique disability that led them to adopt their four-limbed gait. Initial theories were challenging to prove; neurological scans indicated a shrunken cerebellum a part of the brain that helps regulate motor control but similar cases typically do not affect an individual's ability to walk upright.

Further studies by fossil experts in New York and a team at Liverpool University examined their skeletal structure and gait, which did not align with any known evolutionary precursors. This deepened the mystery, as the family's walking pattern did not resemble that of our early human ancestors, nor did it match any common medical conditions known at the time.

The breakthrough came years later, in 2014, when Danish scientists from Aarhus University identified the root cause as Cerebellar Ataxia, Mental Retardation, and Dysequilibrium Syndrome (CAMRQ). This rare genetic mutation affects how proteins distribute fat molecules, leading to brain damage and impaired balance.

This discovery provided a clear explanation for the family's need to walk on all fours, as their balance was insufficient to maintain an upright gait.

This finding not only solved the mystery of the Ulas family's unique movement but also contributed valuable knowledge to the fields of neurology and genetic research. The family, with help from physiotherapists and supportive equipment, has seen improvements, with some members learning to walk upright.

The story of the Ulas family is a testament to the wonders of scientific persistence and the complexities of human biology. It challenges our understanding of what is typical and highlights the incredible diversity within the human species.

Davy