Evolution of Neanderthals' Human Speech

The evolution of human beings is believed to have handed off in several phases with the Neanderthal being the final species simply in the past than the Homo sapiens. As such, they are believed to be very shut cherished ones to Homo sapiens. This species is stated to endure several traits which are comparable to the contemporary man due to their closeness chronologically. In fact, some evidence claims that the Neanderthal species are subspecies of the Homo sapiens. As the human species evolved, their characteristics superior from the very easy ones to the more complex, present day ones. One attribute that has hastily revolutionized is the artwork of communication. The preliminary species of man such as the Homo erectus and Homo habilis used could not communicate through speech (Andrea et al. 174). They mostly used sign language to pass messages. With evolution, speech became part of the human race. The Neanderthal species were believed to be able to communicate with one another via speech. However, some archeologists claim that this species of human were not able to communicate through speech. The following paper will support the fact that this species was able to communicate through speech and give supporting evidence. For a long time, humans considered themselves as the only creatures who possess the ability to communicate to one another. However, through observation, it is quite vivid that animals can also communicate with one another, although not through speech but vocal-auditory (Lewis et al. 271). Furthermore, animals from the ape family and other animals of the order primates communicate with one another through specific phrases which do not bear actual meanings to human beings. This means that they have a distinct language which is a common feature to all primates. Human communication, however, is more advanced and bears technicality. The language encompasses features such as grammar, tonal variation, and tenses. Through language, humans are able to express themselves to one another thereby making life better for avoiding disagreements and quarrels. Humans not only communicate through speech but also through gestures. According to Lewis, R. Barry et al. (272), the use of gestures is older as compared to the use of speech. Gestures were the first form of communication invented by the human species prior to the speech. According to the human brain, use of gestures and speech are processed in the same way by the brain. Being social beings, the Neanderthals found a need to communicate with one another. This is mainly because it is impossible to live with someone and have no communication with them. If there is no communication in a social community, there is a high possibility that there would be war and disorganizations (Jurmain et al. 352). However, the communities of the Neanderthals were organized and peaceful as well. Also, they possessed several characteristics of the modern man such as interest in clothing, making and wearing jewelry, use of tools and playing games among other activities. Also, they performed ceremonies such as burying their dead and consequent activities that followed the funeral. The Neanderthals communicated efficiently by use of speech. During this era, they were not able to write, but they bore an exceptional ability of speech and listening in comparison to the less evolved previous species (Jurmain et al. 354). The writing was not invented until a few thousands of years ago. Just the way the ability to speak advances from childhood to adulthood, it has the same way developed from the Neanderthals to Homo sapiens. The radicalization of speech has been enabled by the modification in the skull of the human being. The skull of the Neanderthal could not facilitate the utterance of distinct words (Henry 20). This species of humans were, therefore, able to communicate through speech, though not clearly. The throat of the Neanderthal had very few bones as such could not support proper speech. The bone was designed in a way that it facilitated sounds such as gagging, coughing and growling (Henry 18). They were, therefore, unable to produce clear sounds. Different archaeological evidences point to the fact that the throats of the Neanderthal and Homo sapiens bared some similarities, which enabled both to have the ability to speak (Henry 21). This characteristic is seen in the morphological structure of their thyroid bones. Unlike other species, these two had similarities in the attachment of the bones which enabled the creatures to communicate through speech. Nevertheless, these species did not abandon the use gestures. The Neanderthals used gestures vastly as their form of speech was not highly developed. However, with the advancement in speech, the human race seemed to use fewer gestures and more speech. By the time, the Neanderthals become extinct, the speech was developed properly, and humans were able to communicate through efficiently by speech. Gestures were as such used to enhance passing of message and ensure that people have grasped the message clearly. The archeologists, therefore, deduced that the Neanderthal man bared the ability of speech although a more sluggish form. This slurred speech was due to the morphology of their throat. As the throat underwent modifications, more bones were able to get close to one another thereby facilitating the ability of one to speak properly. This modification in the throats of the human race is a good form of convergent evolution. Conclusion Archeologists claim that the Neanderthals were the first species of the human race to have an advanced form of communication which was speech. This also explains why the Neanderthals had advanced forms of societies which were properly managed by proper governments. With the advancement in the speech came an increase in intelligence. From x-rays photos, the brain of the Neanderthal seems more advanced compared to the previous species. In fact, it is in this era that there were several advancements technologically and life in general. Ignorance also decreased radically as the man was able to form a clearer meaning to life. They managed to create an elegant form of language with time which facilitated in their advancement. It is, therefore, true to conclude that the Neanderthal man was capable of creating speech and communicate with one another. Works CitedAndrea, Alfred J et al. 2011. World History Encyclopedia, Volume 10. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO.Henry, Donald O. 2003. Neanderthals In The Levant: Behavioural Organization And The Beginnings Of Human Modernity New Approaches To Anthropological Archaeology. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.Jurmain, Robert et al. 2013. Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 2013-2014 Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning.Lewis, R. Barry et al. 2012. Understanding Humans: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology. Boston: Cengage Learning.