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Researchers say they have found the
time in history when human beings first began to speak. Dr Steven Mithen, an archaeologist and
in prehistory, suggested that
language was formed around 1.6 million years ago. This is eight times earlier than many
thought. Experts in evolution previously believed that spoken
language began around 200,000 years ago. Mithen said his studies show that the first human language developed
in eastern or southern Africa. He said the
to speak helped evolution. He said speech was, "without
, the key which made much of
human physical and cultural
possible".
