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Skull canals spark speech-origins dispute

A pair of bony canals at the base of the skull, previously reported to be indicators of speech capability in ancient human ancestors, may in fact bear no relation to the ability to talk.

References:

DeGusta, D., W.H. Gilbert, and S.P. Turner. 1999. Hypoglossal canal size and hominid speech. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 96(Feb. 16):1800.

Further Readings:

Bower, B. 1998. Language origins may reside in skull canals. Science News 153(May 2):276.

Sources:

David DeGusta
University of California, Berkeley
Department of Integrative Biology
3060 VLSB
Berkeley, CA 94720

From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 8, February 20, 1999, p. 118. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.

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