Discovery

Virtual reconstruction of Neanderthals’ ears by the University of Alcalá, Spain, suggests they could hear speech — just like modern humans

By Vicki A. Lee

March 4, 2021
at 7:30 PM

The University of Alcalá in Spain virtually reconstructed Neanderthals’ ears using medical imaging software and CT scans of their skulls. According to the researchers, the models indicate that the extinct species had the same physical capacity to hear as modern humans. Mercedes Conde-Valverde, one of the scientists, said that their hearing was optimized towards producing consonants like “s”, “k”, “t”, and “th” — phonemes that appear in our modern languages too.

The scientist also inferred that the Neanderthals could also make the same sounds we can, but have not confirmed whether they spoke a language. This virtual reconstruction technique was used to study speech and hearing in other ancient humans and chimps.

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Vicki A. Lee

Vicki is a staff writer, anchor, and field reporter covering Culture and Lifestyle. She is interested in literature, design, film, and social justice. Vicki is a staunch proponent of the transformative power of art — as a reflection of our common humanity and as a vehicle to effect sociopolitical reform. She lives in Toronto but often daydreams of being elsewhere, which is why she's always jogging. Read her daily updates here @vickiangelalee.