Other primates aren't overwhelmingly right- or left-handed, so the fact that 90 per cent of us favour our right has stumped scientists.
Some now think our single-handedness is related to our upright posture, which frees up our hands for greater specialisation in manual tasks, and larger brains, which allow for more complex organisation and fine control.
That the right hand prevailed may just have been down to chance, though other experts emphasise a combat advantage.
In a fight, holding up a weapon exposes that side – the other side is protected by the free arm. So, as the heart is on the left, those of our ancestors who held right-handed weapons were less likely to suffer mortal wounds.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Heath Williamson, Southampton) 'Why are most people right-handed?'
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