Ancient Flutes from Hohle Fels

The oldest musical instruments found to date are from the Upper Paleolithic period, and include bullroarers, rasps and even a marimba-like instrument. But the oldest of all these are ancient flutes, carved from the wing bones of birds or from ancient elephant ivory.

Paleolithic Flute from Geissenklösterle (Replica). Photo by José-Manuel Benito

A news story breaking today describes new flutes from Hohle Fels, Vogelherd and Geissenklösterle, three Aurignacian sites in the Swabian Jura. You may remember Hohle Fels as the site where just a few weeks ago was reported evidence for ivory figurines recovered from the same levels.

• More on Ancient Flutes
• Flutes Offer Clues to Stone-Age Music, New York Times, 24 June 09
• Ancient flutes more than 35,000 years old, Telegraph, 24 June 2009
• Neanderthal Jam, from the Why Files, about the Divje Babe I flute
• Kumeyaay Native California Flutes