When did language evolve?

      The answer to this question has been sought by archaeologist and paleoarchaeologists for quite some time but, even more so since the discovery of the Neaderthal hyoid at Kebara 2, Israel.  While there is no agreed upon or definite answer to this question there are several hypotheses.  One of which suggests that language occurred very rapidly with a genetic mutation that re-wired the brain and brought about many behavioral changes.  This mutation is believed to have occurred around 50,000 years ago.  An alternate hypothesis argues that the innovation of language came about with the beginning of the genus homo.  In a sense both of these hypotheses could be correct.  It is possible that language existed with the earliest members of the Homo genus and then became more complex due to a re-wiring of the brain.  Given that both H. sapiens and H. Neanderthalensis likely evolved from H. ergaster, it is likely that H. ergaster had a hyoid that was similar to both, although there is no fossil evidence to prove this.

Johanson, Donald, and Blake Edgar.  From Lucy to Language.  New York: Simon &                                                           

Schuster, 2006.  Print.