Whether or not homo sapiens\u2019 evolutionary cousins, the Neanderthals, possessed and utilized verbal language is an ongoing debate in the scientific community. What answers we have can be found via the converging fields of neuroscience, linguistics, primatology, and paleoanthropology\u2014which happen to be the academic specialization of Dr. Andrey G. Vyshedskiy.<\/p>\n
Vyshedskiy\u2014who teaches biology to MET undergraduates<\/a>\u2014is a believer that those relatives of 600,000 years past could, in all likelihood, communicate verbally. <\/p>\n Featured by Gizmodo<\/em> as part of a roundtable of experts tackling the question, Vyshedskiy cited a series of complimentary points of evidence in support of the argument, beginning with the presence of a unique bone common between species where by tendons the tongue, lower jaw, larynx, and throat connect, and aids in swallowing and projecting sounds. <\/p>\n \u201cThe similarities between Neanderthal and modern human hyoid<\/em> make it likely that the position and connections of the hyoid and larynx were also similar between the two groups,\u201d the adjunct professor, whose research explores the physical properties of the brain that unlock the human imagination<\/a>, told Gizmodo<\/em>. <\/p>\n Beyond anatomical capacity to hear certain sonic frequencies specific to voice, complex breath control abilities, and cranial structure near to the vocal cords, Vyshedskiy sees the strongest case in the presence of certain genes mutations\u2014specifically those that impair language processing. <\/p>\n \u201cThe most convincing evidence for the timing of the acquisition of the modern speech apparatus is provided by DNA analysis,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n Vyshedskiy teaches courses in biology at BU MET that can be counted towards Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor\u2019s program<\/a> requirements.<\/p>\n