From Barrie Price
Mark Pagel contends that modern humans, who arose in Africa between 200,000 and 160,000 years ago, had language from the beginning. But he claims that other extinct human species didn't. Like others who support this theory, he turns to the poor old Neanderthals to prove the superiority of our species. The Neanderthals could not have had language because there is “scant evidence for symbolic behaviour”. “A few pieces of pigment and some disputed etchings” is all that can be attributed to them. But isn't this all we have for the first 100,000 years or so of our species' existence? Maybe our early ancestors were talking about doing a bit of art but hadn't found the right cave?
East Leake, Leicestershire, UK
