Sunlight and time, colour and space in the ancient history of

mankind

Richard Kittler and Stanislav Darula

Institute of Construction and Architecture SAS

Bratislava, Slovakia

Phylogeny– evolution of living organisms through the ages

while adapting to their environment

Inherited qualities stored in DNA sequences are transmitted by cells during endless generations

Evolution of eyes in apes and homonidsabout 30 – 40 million years ago

Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA

Human eyes

Space and search human visual field

Retina structure:Ganglion cells – circadian rythmRods – scotopic (night) visionCones – photopic (daytime) vision

Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966,

Homonid environment

Equator

10° N

Equatorial climate:- yearly temperature equlity/comfort- affluence of greenery- equal day and night time

Gore, R.: The first steps. National Geographic, 191 (1997), 2, 72-99 and map.

Sun as an energy source

Sun paths at the equator

In any day sun shadows indicateE – W orientation at the equator but in equinox days at any locality

In equator localities the day is halved to equal day and night time

at equinox day

Circadian rythmsPhotorecepting eye ganglion cells control daily rythms:

- stimulating: -- alertness and human activity-- body performance (temperature, urine production,

adrenaline etc)

- influencing: -- tiredness due to production of the sleeping hormon melatonin

-- sleeping/waking pattern

Stoer, G.W.: Light and health in the workplace. NSVV Netherlands, 2005.

Solar radiation and sunlight

Extraterrestrial sun radiation spectrum contains:Vi

sibl

e ra

nge

Wavelength in nm

Inte

nsity

in

W/m

2 nm

Visible part

Ultraviolet radiation in three ranges

- UV killing bacteria max. at 254 nm, filtered fully by the ozon layer produced by greenery,

- UV B (Dorno rays) max. at 275 nm with antirachitic effect in D vitamin production under high sun and clean atmosphere,

- UV A max. at 350 nm with erythemal effect on sun tanned skin,

Visible radiation with monochromatic colours,

Infrared thermal radiation

Solar constant in the whole energy spectrum 1367 W.m-2 Luminous solar constant 133.8 klx

Daytime adaptation Greenery utilises sunlight mostly at 450 and 670 nm for photosynthesis

Daytime vision is most sensitive at 555 nm, i.e. reflected from greenery

Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophyll

Eye movements

- overall luminance adaptation, visual search, overview with accomodation to distances

- saccadic reflexes with detail reading for information clues

Scanning individual environment and space identifying objects:

Re-created fossil skull of Australopithecus afarensis

Jarbus, A.L.: Rol dviženii glaz v procese zrenija (Task of eye movements in visual process). Nauka Moskva, 1965

Human migration – new challenges

Route orientation

Diverse environmentseasonal sunpathreduced solar energy seasonal temperaturehumidity changes

Food availability

Shelter protectioncavetentbuilding

Fire

Human activities, knowledge, culture

from mammoth tusk

Venus

Tools – sticks, clubs, spears- stones (boulder fit to hand) - bones (needles Venuses)

Norvegian reindeer with guts (Kloftefoss)

Hunting dangersand spear targets Lastcaux cave, France

Jelínek, J.: Veľký obrazový atlas pravekého človeka (Great picture atlas of ancient man. Mladé letá 1980

ConclusionsIn spite of civilisation achievements:

- sunlight and skylight influence our body functions

- - inherited phylogenetic qualities of human eyes predetermine the time and space orientations

- - daylight mediates visual information and adjustment of individuals to their environment

- - daytime illumination enables activity and creativity

- changes in day and night time predetermine

- - everyday circadian rythms of alertness and rest

- - dynamic changes in illuminance levels are training visual adaptation system in men (the eye muscles, pupil and saccadicmotion reflexes)

- - variety of sunlight and skylight with directional and colour changes improve sight adaptation and acomodation

- space location of the country and urban environment create exterior life conditions

- - longer than 5 million years of hominid phylogeny in equatoriallocality overwhelms recent conditions, e.g. electric lighting

- colour enhances the quality of visual information and overall comfort - - with better recognition of objects and details- - with aesthetic emphasis and wellness of interiors

Conclusions

Thanks for Your attention