Prehistoric Flute in Germany is Oldest Handcrafted Musical Instrument

peaceandlove · 06-25-2009, 05:15 AM

Prehistoric Flute in Germany is Oldest Handcrafted Musical Instrument

By PATRICK McGROARTY, Associated Press Writer – Wed Jun 24, 3:35 pm ET
BERLIN – A bird-bone flute unearthed in a German cave was carved some 35,000 years ago and is the oldest handcrafted musical instrument yet discovered, archaeologists say, offering the latest evidence that early modern humans in Europe had established a complex and creative culture.

Excerpt:

Together, the flute and the figure — found in the same layer of sediment — suggest that modern humans had established an advanced culture in Europe 35,000 years ago, said Wil Roebroeks, an archaeologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands who didn't participate in Conard's study.

Roebroeks said it's difficult to say how cognitively and socially advanced these people were. But the physical trappings of their lives — including musical instruments, personal decorations and figurative art — match the objects we associate with modern human behavior, Roebroeks said.

Continues with photo: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/...historic_flute

It almost looks like a mini Shakuhachi flute, anyway a five note scale.

06-25-2009, 05:15 AM	#1
peaceandlove Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 2,776	Prehistoric Flute in Germany is Oldest Handcrafted Musical Instrument Prehistoric Flute in Germany is Oldest Handcrafted Musical Instrument By PATRICK McGROARTY, Associated Press Writer – Wed Jun 24, 3:35 pm ET BERLIN – A bird-bone flute unearthed in a German cave was carved some 35,000 years ago and is the oldest handcrafted musical instrument yet discovered, archaeologists say, offering the latest evidence that early modern humans in Europe had established a complex and creative culture. Excerpt: Together, the flute and the figure — found in the same layer of sediment — suggest that modern humans had established an advanced culture in Europe 35,000 years ago, said Wil Roebroeks, an archaeologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands who didn't participate in Conard's study. Roebroeks said it's difficult to say how cognitively and socially advanced these people were. But the physical trappings of their lives — including musical instruments, personal decorations and figurative art — match the objects we associate with modern human behavior, Roebroeks said. Continues with photo: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090624/...historic_flute It almost looks like a mini Shakuhachi flute, anyway a five note scale.