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| 'Oldest musical instrument' found | 'Oldest musical instrument' found |
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| A flute carved more than 35,000 years ago has been unearthed in Germany and scientists believe it is the world's oldest musical instrument. | A flute carved more than 35,000 years ago has been unearthed in Germany and scientists believe it is the world's oldest musical instrument. |
| The vulture-bone flute was found in the Hohle Fels cave in southern Germany. | The vulture-bone flute was found in the Hohle Fels cave in southern Germany. |
| It dates back to the time when early modern humans began settling in Europe, which suggests that they had a creative culture and were socially cohesive. | It dates back to the time when early modern humans began settling in Europe, which suggests that they had a creative culture and were socially cohesive. |
| Experts also say this might explain why they survived, while neanderthals - who were more isolated - became extinct. | Experts also say this might explain why they survived, while neanderthals - who were more isolated - became extinct. |
| The 20cm (7.9 in) long flute has five holes and a notched end, a team led by University of Tuebingen archaeologist Nicholas Conard said. | The 20cm (7.9 in) long flute has five holes and a notched end, a team led by University of Tuebingen archaeologist Nicholas Conard said. |
| It's very clear that music played an important role in these people's lives Dr Nicholas ConardUniversity of Tuebingen, Germany | It's very clear that music played an important role in these people's lives Dr Nicholas ConardUniversity of Tuebingen, Germany |
| Fragments of two other primitive flutes - carved from ivory taken from the tusks of mammoth - were also found. | |
| So far, eight flutes have been discovered from this era. | So far, eight flutes have been discovered from this era. |
| Dr Conard says this suggests that the playing of music was common when early modern humans spread across Europe and indicates that the concept of music and other creative expression runs deep in human culture. | Dr Conard says this suggests that the playing of music was common when early modern humans spread across Europe and indicates that the concept of music and other creative expression runs deep in human culture. |
| "It's very clear that music played an important role in these people's lives," he says. | "It's very clear that music played an important role in these people's lives," he says. |
| Dr Conard says he believes that emergence of art and culture so early in human history might explain why modern humans survived and neanderthals became extinct. | Dr Conard says he believes that emergence of art and culture so early in human history might explain why modern humans survived and neanderthals became extinct. |
| He suggests that cultural expression might have helped human species become more sociable and co-operative, whereas neanderthals were culturally more conservative and so remained isolated. | He suggests that cultural expression might have helped human species become more sociable and co-operative, whereas neanderthals were culturally more conservative and so remained isolated. |