Since the ability to extract information from ancient DNA is difficult to do and has only been attempted recently, the gathered data is hardly conclusive. The Neanderthal bones used in Krause's study could have been contaminated by modern human DNA during excavation, or at other points during laboratory examination. Or perhaps the individual who has been sampled is the product of a Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens mating.

As well, the presence of FOXP2 while appearing to enable speech in modern humans is not necessarily the single component necessary for speech. One of the other characteristics is the presence of a hyoid bone. This horseshoe shaped bone is the only part of the human skeleton which is independent of other bones. The hyoid, speaking metaphorically, ‘hangs’ from the human skull. Along with parts of the skull, the hyoid serves as an anchor point for several muscles which control the tongue. Neanderthals had a hyoid bone almost identical to modern humans.

There are, of course, well known differences between Neanderthals and modern humans. They were about the same height, but thicker set, with barrel shaped rib cages – and with arms possibly twice as wide as ours. They had large, round finger tips and short and curved shoulder blades. Facially, the Neanderthal brow ridge above their eyes was thicker than that in Homo Sapiens. Their skull capacity was about 10% greater than ours – but their skulls were flatter – and their chins did not jut out as ours do. However, again, what is not known is which of these or other differences could have been the critical element or combination which would permit speech.

Taking a step into a speculative, slightly ‘fantastic’ and potentially unethical scenario, it’s possible that some day in the future technology could be developed to allow the modification of a chimpanzee FOXP2 gene to see if it would enable speech. It could be surmised that this would pave the way for a new understanding of not only chimpanzee physiology but of Neanderthals.

As well, manipulating genes such as FOX2P could lead to some very deep - and for some - potentially uncomfortable facts learned about the nature of human thought and speech.

For more information

Archaeology and Human Evolution
http://www.archaeologyinfo.com/species.htm

Orlando Sentinel article
http://www.orlandosentinel.com