Neanderthal’s Language: Evolution v. Creation Interpretations

By R. L. David Jolly

For decades, evolutionists believed that Neanderthals lived half million years ago and were so primitive that all they could do was grunt at each other and point.  Then it was discovered that they painted on cave walls, so they were a little smarter than the evolutionists thought.  Then it was discovered that they buried their dead, made musical instruments and jewelry.  Every new discovery made Neanderthals look smarter and smarter, but they continue to believe that they were an evolutionary link that eventually went extinct.

Now, new research indicates that Neanderthals also had a complex language.  Dutch researchers Dan Dediu and Stephen Levinson from the Max Planck Institute of Psycholinguistics are now saying that language evolved further back in history than previously thought.  They claim that it started slowly sometime between the existence of Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis, nearly one million years ago.

In their latest report, they write:

“The genetic story so far suggests that Neandertals and Denisovans [another relative] had the basic genetic underpinnings for recognizably modern language and speech, but it is possible that modern humans may out-strip them in some parameters (perhaps range of speech sounds or rapidity of speech, complexity of syntax, size of vocabularies or the like).”

They came to this conclusion after studying the fossils of Neanderthals and searching through the literature.  They concluded that Neanderthals lived in small groups separated from each other and would have developed different dialects like we see in people groups today.

Again they wrote:

“We can also be fairly sure, due to the relatively isolated nature of the groups, that there were many distinct languages.”

I see their research as only confirming what the Bible tells me of human history.  After the Flood, God blessed Noah and his three sons and told them:

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  Gen. 9:1b

Genesis 10 tells us of all of the sons of Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.  Verse 32 of chapter 10 says:

“These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.”

Genesis 11:1-9 tells us about the Tower of Babel and that God confused the languages and caused the people to disperse across the earth.  As different groups spread out, they became isolated from each other and after a number of generations; each group developed their own physical traits such as color of hair, eyes and skin, stature, facial features, and so on.  Many today refer to that as different races, but we are all one race, just different ethnic groups, all descended from Noah’s three sons, from Noah and from Adam.

One of those ethnic groups that formed after the dispersion from the Tower of Babel was the people that we refer to as Neanderthals.  They may have looked a little different from us, but that was due to the isolated genetic traits of that group.  Since they came from the Tower of Babel, they were very human and had a language all their own.

As for how long ago this was?  Not half a million years like evolutionists believe, but only about 4,200 years ago.

Evolution versus creation.  One interpretation is based upon millions of years of godless random chance.  The other is based upon the Word of God and the written testimony of eyewitnesses.  The evolutionary account of mankind and Neanderthals is constantly changing.  The Word of God never changes.

References:

Ferro, Shaunacy.  Language May Have Evolved Way Earlier Than We Thought, Popular Science, July 10, 2013.

Griffiths, Sarah.  Neanderthals Talked Like Us Half A Million Years Ago And Could Even Have Shaped The Language We Speak Today, Daily Mail, July 10, 2013.

Chronicles of Dinosauria: The History & Mystery of Dinosaurs and Man

by Dave Woetzel

Every legend is commonly said to contain some grain of truth, but separating that grain of truth from the mountain of fictional tales is sometimes a very difficult task.  For years, co-author Dave Woetzel has been seeking to separate truth from myth as he explores mysteries relating to dinosaurs, the history of mankind, and the biblical timeline. Teaming up with artist and illustrator Richard Dobbs, the two have created a visual archive of expeditions and intriguing clues to explore, all of which highlight their connection to and evidence of the authority and reliability of Scripture.

Provocative artifacts from around the globe are examined in this exquisite, full-color illustrated book that hints at man’s familiarity with living dinosaurs. Studies point to more than simple answers beneath the waves of Loch Ness, and other sites around the world, many of which have been personally investigated by the author. This is the study of cryptozoology and the discoveries that seem to defy all evolutionary timelines, vividly illustrated and filled with rare photos.

Explore legends, mythical sightings, and facinating explorations from around the world!

• Enjoy the unique combination of visual illustrations and unforgettable accounts.
• Discover why the author calls into question what we’ve been taught to believe and understand about the history of dinosaurs and man.