How Did Humans Speak 3 Million Years Ago? Unraveling the Origins of Language
Researchers are using fossil skulls and biomechanical models to investigate how humans developed the ability to speak. The study suggests that the sounds produced by our ancestors, from Lucy to Neanderthals, were quite different from the language we use today.
The Limits of Bones
Still, simply examining bones isn’t enough. The most important elements determining speech ability – soft tissues like the tongue, lungs, and larynx – are key. Due to the fact that these tissues aren’t preserved in fossils, scientists are recreating them using biomechanical models.
By examining small traces remaining on the bones, researchers can make estimations about the shape and function of these past organs.
Brain Growth and Communication
The oldest brain traces examined by scientists were found within skulls belonging to Australopithecus afarensis, dating back approximately 3 million years.
These fossils reveal that the brain grew and became more complex over time. Brain growth signifies more neural connections and increased information processing capacity.
Researchers also infer the structure of ancient human languages by examining the bones, deducing the shape and range of motion of the tongue.
The Importance of the Tongue
According to Vialet, the tongue is the most important organ in speech:
“The tongue is an incredibly flexible organ. It shapes the airflow, allowing us to produce different sounds very quickly.”
The Roots of Human Language Run Deep
Research indicates that the foundations of speech may be far older than previously thought.
Researchers at the University of Alabama, USA, reviewed decades of primate vocal production studies to investigate the origins of vowel sounds.
The similarity between some sounds produced by modern humans and those of primates like baboons suggests that the ability to produce these sounds may have developed as early as 27 million years ago, long before the emergence of the human species.
Many experts believe vowel sounds form the basis of human language.
Lucy Spoke Like a Chimpanzee?
Lucy, who lived in East Africa around 3.2 million years ago, is one of the most famous fossils belonging to Australopithecus afarensis.
Standing just one meter tall and weighing around 25 kilograms, Lucy had a brain significantly smaller than that of modern humans.
Scientists believe Lucy’s communication likely consisted of emotionally driven sounds and gestures. She may have used calls, warning signals, or simple vocalizations similar to those of chimpanzees.
Lucy’s speech system was likely very limited, lacking the words or sentences we know today.
The First “Words” Around 1.6 Million Years Ago
A significant turning point in language evolution occurred with the emergence of Homo erectus.
A 1.6 million-year-old fossil found in Kenya, known as the Turkana Boy, provides important clues about the development of human speech ability.
At this time, our ancestors’ bodies became fully upright. This development aided the growth of chest muscles and breath control.
Experts believe this allowed them to produce a wider variety of sounds.
Researchers suggest that Homo erectus likely used imitative sounds or primitive words to describe objects and actions. Examples might include sounds like “whinny,” “pat,” or “slap.”
This new form of communication may have facilitated cooperative hunting, exploration, and the learning of new skills.
Could Neanderthals Talk?
Neanderthals, who lived around 50,000 years ago, may have possessed a more advanced communication system than previously believed.
Research shows that Neanderthal brain development was quite similar to that of modern humans.
According to archaeologist Steven Mithen, Neanderthal speech may have sounded somewhat different:
“If we could listen to a conversation between Neanderthals, we would likely hear a nasal tone. They may have produced explosive sounds like ‘T,’ ‘P,’ and ‘B’ more strongly.”
This could be due to their large nasal cavities and greater lung capacity.
Some scientists suggest that Neanderthals may even have had the ability to form sentences, similar to modern humans.
Modern Human Language
Around 30,000 years ago, early Homo sapiens, known as Cro-Magnons, possessed all the physical characteristics necessary for modern speech.
The vocal tract, brain structure, and nervous system were almost identical to those of present-day humans.
This enabled people to use a much wider range of sounds to express complex thoughts and abstract ideas.
Today, over 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide. However, researchers believe that some words have origins dating back thousands of years.
For example, the presence of the “m” sound in the word “mother” in many languages is noteworthy.
Scientists believe this may be due to the sounds babies make while nursing. This suggests that the origins of some words extend to the very early periods of human history.
Researchers state that language is humanity’s most complex communication system. And it will likely continue to evolve as humans change.
