The Oldest Musical Instruments in The World, Made from Stone, Bones and Animal Skin

Baca Juga

Photo Source: 72note.com via idntimes.com

FEMUSINDO.com - Before modern people made musical instruments with various names, shapes and played them, it turned out that the first form of music was a whistle that appeared around 40,000 years ago.

In fact, it turns out that the musical instruments that exist today were created from percussion instruments in ancient times. Percussion instruments were first discovered around 165,000 years ago.

At that time, the musical instruments that were created were played in many ways, such as being hit, rubbed and some were shaken.

These musical instruments from ancient times were made from stone, bones and plants by carving or drilling holes so that they produced certain tones that were pleasant to hear at that time.

Reporting from Bobo.grid.id, here are some musical instruments that were first made using materials found in nature.

1. Bone Carved Flute

In July 1995, an expert who studied life and culture in ancient times (archaeologist) from Slovenia named Ivan Turk found a carved bone in the northwest of Slovenia. The object was called 'Divje Babe' which had 4 holes.

Bob Flink, a musician from Canada, believed that the holes were played to produce 4 notes in a scale.

Then, several researchers estimated that the age of the flute had reached 67,000 years and was the oldest musical instrument and the only musical instrument in the Neanderthal culture.

2. Mammoth Ivory Trumpet

This musical instrument was discovered by an archaeologist from Germany and the age of the trumpet is estimated to be 43,400 years old.

This 18.7-centimeter trumpet is made of mammoth ivory consisting of 3 finger holes and can produce various melodies.

This musical instrument was found as many as 31 pieces in the Geißenklösterle cave in the mountains near Ulm in southern Germany.

To make one trumpet, a mammoth tusk is split and then a hole is made in that part.

In addition to the three holes for the fingers, one hole is tied and attached with an airtight layer.

3. Elephant Skin Drums

Drums are large drums. This musical instrument was first discovered by humans around 30,000 years ago.

At that time, humans used animal skin that was pulled to create sound. The drums found used preserved elephant skin.

4. Bamboo Flutes

This flute made of bamboo or rattan is one of the oldest musical instruments estimated to be 30,000 years old. This object is played by blowing. 

In addition to the above findings, there are still a number of other oldest musical instrument findings in the world, such as the Neanderthal flute found in the Divje Babe cave, Slovenia, which is around 60,000 years old.

Then, the Geisenklösterle Flute made of goose bone and mammoth ivory found in Germany, Litophone a musical instrument made of stone found in a church in Maenclochog, Wales, and several other findings. (*)