For decades, the question of whether Neanderthals possessed language has intrigued scientists and the public alike. Did they communicate through complex vocalizations, or were their interactions limited to gestures and simple sounds? While definitive proof remains elusive, compelling evidence suggests Neanderthals were likely capable of some form of speech.
Studies of Neanderthal hyoid bones, similar to those of modern humans and crucial for speech, indicate a vocal range potentially similar to ours. Furthermore, genetic analysis has revealed that Neanderthals possessed the FOXP2 gene, which plays a significant role in language development. Brain endocasts also show brain structures associated with language were present.
However, the extent of their linguistic capabilities remains debated. While they likely possessed the physical and neurological capacity for speech, the complexity of their language remains unknown. Was it as nuanced and sophisticated as modern human language? The answer may lie in future discoveries, but the evidence increasingly points towards a talking Neanderthal, albeit perhaps with a different accent.
