Hi Bernard,
How can we answer that, especially at this point where things are changing so fast? Does a full language include telepathy? Does telepathy exist? Is a full language writing? Is it discussing dreams? Is it talking to yourself? A lot of this hinges on consciousness. The idea of group hunting of critters is way out of bounds because we evolved, apparently, from herbivores, at least I think. Do you want a hunting party to stalk a bush? I am just saying that the whole idea that our intelligence levels went astronomical only 40k ago does not seem to jibe with the current evidence. To answer your question in an absolute sense, I am afraid only a time machine will do. With respect to the circular stuff you point to, check out what you can from the Morwood group and ancillary articles on the Flores erectuses floating around on the web. At this point we can only ask questions, but questions that seem to pierce old paradigms. And please read about Bednarik's experiences, who now has National Geographic backing.
All the best,
Chris
bernard Wrote:
>
> Notice I said "full language" which includes the
> ability to refer to events in the past and the
> future. Full language would not be required for
> group hunting, after all animal predators do group
> hunting. The other points are somewhat circular
> since the assumption that H erectus was involved
> in boatmaking and in navigation, for which you
> agree there is little evidence, are supposed to be
> themselves evidence of the existence of full
> language at the time. Migrations to Australia were
> within the past 100,000 years (not H. erectus) and
> could have been made in rafts (not fully
> constructed boats). Contrast this with evidence of
> an idea of an after life as in the burials at
> Shanidar.
>