The case for Neanderthal language. How strong is it?

• Did Neanderthals have language? This issue has been debated back and forth for decades,without resolution. But in recent years new evidence has become available. New fossils andarchaeological finds cast light on relevant Neanderthal anatomy and behaviour. New DNA evidence,both fossil and modern, provides clues both to the relationship between Neanderthals andHomo sapiens, and to the genetics of language. In this paper, I review and evaluate the availableevidence. My conclusion is that the preponderance of the evidence supports the presenceof some form of language in Neanderthals.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Språk och litteratur -- Jämförande språkvetenskap och allmän lingvistik (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Languages and Literature -- General Language Studies and Linguistics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

language evolution

neanderthals

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)