Since, in humans, the amino acid sequence of the FOXP2 gene, which is related to language disorders, is different from that of chimpanzees, it is thought that the human lineage caused a unique double mutation. Humans are thought to have been born with new genetic alterations that enabled them to use language.
Since this gene is also found in Neanderthals, and the shape of the hyoid bone and vocal tract of Neanderthals are similar to those of modern humans, it is thought that the Neanderthals’ perception of vocalization was not much different from that of modern humans.
However, since no symbolic signs or decorations have been found in Neanderthal remains or relics, it is unlikely that they spoke a language similar to ours.*
■References (Books, papers, Web articles, etc.)
The Singing Neanderthals: The Origins of Music, Language, Mind, and Body Steven Mithen Harvard University Press (October 31, 2007)
How Humans Evolved (Eighth Edition) Robert Boyd, Joan B. Silk W. W. Norton & Company; Eighth edition (December 1, 2017)
*Due to the absence of symbolic marks and ornaments, it is assumed that the Neanderthals did not possess the abilities of abstraction and symbolic thinking. Symbolic thinking requires the ability to understand and compare similarities. If it is understood that a bear running, a rabbit running, and a human running all entail the same “running,” then the expression can be economized and becomes easier to transmit. We can then transmit information to others with less effort.
Related iCards： Human babies born with absolute pitch (Vol 2.)
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