Neandertals share two evolutionary changes in FOXP2 gene with modern humans. FOXP2 implicated in speech and language development. Changes lie on modern human haplotype under selective sweep. Selective sweep and changes predate human-Neandertal ancestor 300,000–400,000 years ago. Result contradicts recent estimates from modern human diversity data. Ancient DNA reveals older timeline for language gene evolution. Neandertals carried speech-enabling FOXP2 version. Common ancestor possessed swept haplotype for FOXP2. Direct ancient genetic data trumps extant human inferences. Language capacity changes originated before modern human-Neandertal split.