Research shows that. facial hair might have evolved to help fight-hungry humans better absorb blows to the head. The Intergrative Organismal Biology journal published the new study.“We found that fully furred samples were capable of absorbing more energy than plucked and sheared samples,”according to the experiment conducted by biologists Ethan Beseris, Steven Naleway and David Carrier. No humans were slugged in the name of science. The team employed an epoxy composite skull covered in several styles of sheep skin — plucked and trimmed. The scientists found that “peak force was 16 percent greater and total energy absorbed was 37 percent greater in the furred compared to the plucked samples,” per the report. Researchers concluded that the beard may function similarly to the mane of a lion or a baboon, “serving to protect vital areas like the throat and jaw from lethal attacks” during a fight. Especially as it sprouts on one of the most vulnerable regions of the body, the chin.