The origins of human language have always been mysterious. There have been lots of ideas, but very little evidence, and the arguments within the anthropology, sociology and linguistics worlds have been furious. So far there’s been little use of archaeological evidence, but a new book has drawn us into the debate too. In The Revolutionary Origins of Language, UCL anthropologists Chris Knight and Jerome Lewis argue that language didn’t emerge simply because our brains got bigger or our ancestors developed better voices. Instead, they suggest, it grew out of something much more social: cooperation, trust, ritual and the power of people to stand together. So how does archaeology provide evidence for ritual, social co-operation and therefore language? In this podcast Helen Geake and Martyn Williams speak to the book’s authors to find out.

The Revolutionary Origins of Language is available to buy now in the Time Team shop. You can find it at https://shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/books/products/the-revolutionary-origins-of-language-chris-knight-jerome-lewis

For more from Time Team, including ad-free and bonus episodes of this podcast, Dig Watch updates from excavations, 3D models and so much more, consider becoming a Time Team member. Your support allows us to carry out archaeology up and down the country and continue to make episodes of the programmes. Go to patreon.com/timeteamofficial for more information.