The World’s Oldest Musical Instruments

Somewhere between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago, someone in what is now Germany was producing and playing flutes made from the bones of large birds. And even more remarkably, they were also creating flutes made from sections of mammoth ivory carefully fitted together in such a way that the resulting tube was airtight.

So far, a total of eight flutes have been found. Four were made from the wing bones of swans and griffon vultures, and another four were created using sections of ivory, presumably from mammoth tusks. The most complete remains indicate that this particular flute would have been about 14 inches (34 centimeters) long and had five finger holes carved with stone tools. There were two notches at the playing end to allow the musician to blow into the hollow tube. One of the bird bone flutes had only three finger holes, but a replica demonstrated that it was capable of making four distinct notes and at least three overtones.

Even more impressive are the ivory flutes, which display a surprisingly sophisticated technology. Mammoth tusks are curved, but the flute-maker knew how to straighten the ivory into straight segments, which were cut into sections. The flute-maker then drilled finger holes into the sections and carefully refitted the sections, creating airtight seals. These flutes are smaller than those made with bird bones, but in both cases, the knowledge needed to make the instruments was very sophisticated indeed.

Bear in mind, though, that our ancestors might have been beating sticks or bones together, banging on logs, or even clapping their hands to create rhythms long before these flutes were created. And, of course, since these ancient instruments are obviously not the first of their kind to be created, flute-making may possibly extend several thousand years before they were made. We just don’t know.

The World’s Oldest Man-Made Fiber

A team of archaeologists analyzing clay samples for tree pollen in Dzudzuana Cave in the Republic of Georgia made a surprising discovery: The oldest flax fibers made by humans. And there were quite a few of them, nearly 800 in all.

The fibers are more than 34,000 years old. Previously, the oldest known evidence for fiber-making was found at the 28,000-year-old site of Dolni Vestonice in the Czech Republic.

These fibers are not evidence for early farming, since flax grew wild in the area. But they do indicate that the people living in the cave were already experienced in gathering and working with the fibers, possibly to make thread for sewing, or even to weave cloth or other textiles. Some of the fibers appear to have been dyed in various colors such as yellow, green, blue, violet, red and black. For some, this means that the people who occupied the cave might have been producing colorful fabrics.

These fibers give us evidence that people had been using plant fibers to make thread, ropes and twines for some time before they themselves were created. Because plant remains are so rarely preserved, it may be some time before earlier samples are discovered.

Photos and more information on this important discovery can be found here