Humanity's First Words: Older Than Previously Believed

New research led by a prominent British archaeologist suggests that the human ability to communicate through language might have roots stretching back more than 1.6 million years — a significantly older dating than previously assumed. This finding challenges traditional theories about the origin of language and emphasizes the role of language in the evolutionary success of humans.

More Than Just Words
Without venomous stings, sharp claws, or imposing horns, humans have instead developed unique traits such as opposable thumbs, a large brain, and — possibly most crucially — the ability to communicate through language. This ability has not only provided us with a means of expression but has been essential for our ability to survive and thrive in an often hostile world.
Archaeological Discoveries Shed New Light
The prominent archaeologist, Professor Steven Mithen from the University of Reading, has proposed a groundbreaking theory. Through an extensive analysis of archaeological, paleo-anatomical, linguistic, neurological, and genetic data, he suggests that humans began developing language far earlier than previously thought.

Mithen's research indicates that the human brain experienced significant growth and reorganization — specifically in the frontal lobe associated with language — around 1.5 million years ago. This finding suggests that language is not a relatively new development but a deeply ingrained trait that has played a critical role in our species' survival and evolution.