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Researchers say they have [fond / found] the likely time in history when human beings first [beginning / began] to speak. Dr Steven Mithen, an archaeologist and expert in prehistory, suggested that [basically / basic] language was formed around 1.6 million years ago. This is eight times [earlier / early] than many scientists thought. [Experts / Expats] in evolution previously [beliefs / believed] that spoken human language began around 200,000 years ago. Mithen said his studies show that the [fast / first] human language developed [either / neither] in eastern or southern Africa. He said the ability to speak helped evolution. He said speech was, "[without / within] doubt, the key which made much [to / of] subsequent human physical and cultural evolution possible".

Dr Mithen explains how he believes human speech developed [such / so] long ago in his new book called, "The Language Puzzle". He says our brain [quickly / quick] increased in size just over 1.5 million years ago. This increase changed the structure of [our / their] brain. An area [called / calling] the frontal lobe developed. This is the part [of / at] the brain that produces language. Another important [change / chance] was the development of our vocal tract. This is where we produce sound, and therefore [before / speech] . Mithen said speech allowed humans to spread [abound / around] the world. It meant humans could do three important [thing / things] . They could think of and plan future actions, and they could pass on knowledge. Mithen said language "changed the human [novel / story] profoundly".