High notes of the singing Neanderthals
NEANDERTHALS have been misunderstood. The early humanoids
traditionally characterised as ape-like brutes were deeply emotional beings
with high-pitched voices. They may even have sung to each other, writes
Jonathan Leake.
The new image has emerged from two studies of the vocal
apparatus and anatomy of the creatures that occupied Europe between 200,000
and 35,000 years ago.
Neanderthal voices were loud, womanly and probably highly
melodic - not the roars and grunts previously assumed by most researchers.
Stephen Mithen, professor of archeology at Reading University and author of
one of the studies, said: "What is emerging is a picture of an intelligent
and emotionally complex creature whose most likely form of communication
would have been part language and part song."
Mithen is giving a seminar on his findings at University College
London next week and will publish a book, The Singing Neanderthal: The
Origin of Language, Music, Body and Mind, in June.
Cont'd
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1462226,00.html
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