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Ancient flutes:Archaeologists have unearthed a collection of 12,000-year-old flutes carved from bird bones at a prehistoric site in Israel. When played, the artifacts mimic the calls of certain birds of prey. Although the site has been extensively investigated by researchers since its discovery in the 1950s, last year archaeologists were able to unearth 1,100 bird bones. Was surprised to see flutes scattered among the stores. Of the more than half a dozen flutes unearthed, carved by artisans from the bones of small waterfowl, only one was completely intact; It measured less than 2.6 inches (65 millimeters) in length, according to a statement.
Laurent Davin, a postdoctoral fellow in archeology at the French Research Center in Jerusalem, told Live Science in an email. Because of the remains of ochre, we know that they were probably painted red. Because of the use-wear we think they may be attached to a string and worn.
When played, the flute produces a high-pitched sound, similar to that made by the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and the common kestrel (Falco tinunculus), the latter of which is part of the falcon family. The Natufians were particularly methodical about collecting these bones.
One of the smallest sound devices:
This information has been given in the report published on June 9 in the Scientific Reports Journal. Laurent Davin, author of the research and a postdoctoral fellow in archeology at the French Research Center in Jerusalem, spoke to Live Science about this. He told that this flute is one of the smallest sound instruments of prehistoric times known till date. Its color is red because of applying ocher. We think that then people used to tie it with a string and wear it around their neck. When played it produced loud calls similar to those of the Eurasian Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
