Scientists reveal where the human ‘original’ third eye came from — and why we have it
Scientists have traced the origins of the human 'third eye' to a small, sea-dwelling ancestor from 575 million years ago. This study reveals that the third eye, or pineal gland, plays a crucial role in regulating light perception and sleep. The research highlights how evolutionary changes led to the development of our current eye structure.
- ▪The third eye is linked to a median cornea found in our earliest ancestors.
- ▪This study was published in the journal Current Biology and explores the evolution of vision.
- ▪The researchers discovered that the pineal gland and retinas evolved from the same ancient organ.
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Science Scientists reveal where the human ‘original’ third eye came from — and why we have it By Ben Cost Published May 25, 2026, 4:09 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google The third eye is not just a metaphysical yoga concept. Scientists have discovered the origins of the peculiar median cornea buried deep inside our head, our earliest ancestor from almost 600 million years ago. This tri-cornea theory was detailed in an eye-opening study published in the journal Current Biology. The team had set out to shed light on the pineal gland, a pea-sized organ inside the human skull that dictates how our body responds to light in the dark, even though it’s long been cut off from sunlight.
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