The origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been...Show moreThe origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been trying to solve the mystery that is the origin of speech. An unambiguous answer however, remains absent. Using the method of comparative morphology and microbiomechanical studies, it can be studied when in our evolutionary history the anatomy fit to support speech production first arose, and thus which species first had the ability to talk. This thesis looks at published data on different hard structures of the vocal tract, in particular the hyoid, hard palate and mandible, of Australopithecus afarensis, Homo erectus, the SH hominins and Homo neanderthalensis to compare them to those of the modern human and non-human great apes vocal tract, in order to discover what we can infer about the origin speech based on the evolution of the vocal tract. This comparison has shown that based on their features, these hominins can be divided into two categories. The first category is that of archaic morphology and is characterized by a hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of the non-human great apes, in particular, chimpanzees. This means they possessed a bullashaped hyoid body, a long and broad hard palate and a long and narrow, chinless mandible. To this group belong the Australopithecus afarensis and Homo erectus. The second category is that of modern morphology and is characterized by the hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of modern humans. This means a bar-like hyoid body, a shorter and more narrow hard palate and a short and broad mandible with a bony protuberance, the chin. To this groups belongs the SH hominins the Homo neanderthalensis. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the anatomical features of the vocal tract fit to support the production of speech were already in place with, at least, Neanderthals. Therefore, Neanderthals could speak. The way forward for future studies into the origin of speech mainly is more data, both in terms of quantity and more species, though this is not something that can be forced. Establishing the origin of speech might open up a new path into studying the origin of language, a related, but not identical topic.Show less
Neanderthals, once depicted as brutish and underdeveloped, have gained recognition and a more nuanced understanding in contemporary research. Recent advancements in archaeological tools and...Show moreNeanderthals, once depicted as brutish and underdeveloped, have gained recognition and a more nuanced understanding in contemporary research. Recent advancements in archaeological tools and methodologies, such as ancient DNA sequencing, fossil track analysis, and the study of cut marks and butchering practices, have shed light on the intelligence and social complexity of Neanderthals. However, these findings have not been synthesized into a cohesive framework, hindering a comprehensive up-to-date understanding of Neanderthal society. This thesis aims to address this gap by conducting a literature review of modern case studies that employ innovative methodologies, such as the ones previously mentioned. Drawing upon a primatological framework, which acknowledges the shared fundamental behavioural characteristics among both archaic and modern humans as primates, the study examines the social organization, social structure, and mating system of Neanderthals, which are terminology that can succinctly be used to describe any primate social system. Through the analysis of diverse case studies, it is estimated that Neanderthals lived in groups of fewer than 50 members, with some females migrating between groups for mating, while others staying in their natal group, leading to instances of incest. Genetic studies indicate that certain Neanderthal groups were isolated, suggesting a broad spatial cohesion among the groups with significant geographical separation, which likely resulted in close relatives mating with each other. However, this appears to be the case for Neanderthals living during a period of drastic climate changes, potentially bearing greater implications for their extinction. Regarding agonistic behavior, males exhibit lower intragroup aggression, while females display a dispersal-egalitarian pattern. Neanderthals demonstrated social integration capabilities with other hominid species, while the precise age and sexual composition of their groups remain a matter of future research. This study underscores the importance of current methodologies in uncovering the intricacies of Neanderthal society, providing valuable insights into their social organization and behaviour.Show less
This paper examines the factors that may potentially influence a specific selection of animal in the slate plaquettes of the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in the German Rhineland. Georges Sauvet...Show moreThis paper examines the factors that may potentially influence a specific selection of animal in the slate plaquettes of the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in the German Rhineland. Georges Sauvet identifies the dominance of the horse in Magdalenian parietal art within the Franco-Cantabrian region, and the associated animistic implications. The goal of my research was to observe if the same dominance was observable outside this region. The characteristics Sauvet defined as making a representation ‘prominent’ were modified for Gönnersdorf for the purpose of making a comparison. Prominent plaquettes were reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It was found that the Gönnersdorf assemblage did not bear close similarities to Sauvet’s conclusions, nor did they align with a specific animistic ontology. It is suggested that the prominence of the horse at Gönnersdorf is most visible in terms of the frequency of depiction, and the formal exemplarity of individual representations. The results indicated two potential alternate functions for the plaquettes: their use as a storytelling medium, and as a communicative aid for culturally separate hunter-gatherer groups aggregating at the site. It was stressed that these two functions may not only be related, but serve a dual purpose.Show less
