How Old Is The Oldest Instrument?

You may be wondering "What is the oldest man-made instrument?" Well, it is likely the flute! Sure, it does not look like the modern flute that you see in symphonies, but that is because many changes have been made to the flute to become what it is today.

This flute is called the Neanderthal Flute and is expected to be around 60,000 years old. This glute holds a great significance in history because it shows just how developed Neanderthals were. Many research has been done on this artifact, and scientists have discovered that it was in fact made for the purpose of musical expression. Therefore, the first man-made instrument was made intentionally for a set purpose. It is made of the bones of a cave bear, and has two holed drilled into its body. It was found in the Nivje Babe Cave near Cerkno.

Another theory about the world's oldest instrument is that it was a flute made from a vulture bone. Nonetheless, it seems consistent that the earliest instrument was likely the flute. The vulture bone flute was found in Southwest Germany in the Hohle Fels cavern. Unlike the other flute mentioned, this flute has five holes and is expected to be 35,000 years old. While we have not found any instruments dating older than the flute, keep an eye out for any new discoveries. You never know what instruments will be rediscovered in the coming years.

Here are some links to deepen your understanding on this topic: