Study Traces Human Language Origins to Over 135,000 Years Ago

Genetic evidence suggests linguistic capacity predates the first Homo sapiens population split, shaping symbolic thinking and modern behaviors.

A new study consolidates findings from 15 genetic studies to estimate that human linguistic capacity emerged at least 135,000 years ago.
The research links the development of language to the first population split of Homo sapiens, which occurred around the same time.
Language is hypothesized to have driven the emergence of modern human behaviors, such as symbolic thinking and cultural innovations, by 100,000 years ago.
The study highlights that all modern human languages share a common origin, indicating linguistic capacity predates the divergence of human populations.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the study emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research to further explore the role of language in human evolution.