Our Oldest Flutes Are 40,000 Years Old! Reed Flute Demonstration.

I have mentioned in the previous post on another blog how fashioning materials out of wood must have come before stone and provided some examples. The same could be true for bone as it's a harder material than wood or bamboo or reeds growing on the side of most rivers and streams in ancient times. In fact, our oldest archaeological finds include a 40,000 year old flute!

A vulture-bone flute discovered in a European cave is likely the world's oldest recognizable musical instrument and pushes back humanity's musical roots

If flutes were being made out of bone 40,000 years ago then certainly the wooden flutes must have arrived on the music scene sooner. After all, wooden flutes have been in continuous use throughout recorded history in several cultures and societies. Consider the common reeds that grow in many riverbeds. They can easily be fashioned into a flute and could not possibly last in our archeological record except by some lucky chance.

The reed Native American flute is made from reeds that grow in the lakes and rivers of New Mexico. Learn about the Native American reed flute from a professional musician in this free music video. 

Water Reed Native American Flute -- powered by ehow