I find it incredible that Neanderthals could have this delicate hyoid bone if they were so linguistically handicapped.
The delicate hyoid we have is a major disadvantage: it's all too easily broken - a result that is fatal to us. However, it allows the tongue to form delicate sounds, so this disadvantage is offset by the exceptional utility of human language.
Did Neanderthals (especially with their rough, big-game-hunting lifestyle) really have this major drawback for so long in the absence of a viable offsetting advantage?
This seems to go against the principles of natural selection to me. | | Alastair Archibald | | Date: 2008-06-10, 13:14 GMT |
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