The oldest musical instrument is a 40,000-year-old flute
History
A 40,000-year-old bone flute from Germany reveals early humans were sophisticated musicians, pushing back the timeline of artistic expression and cultural complexity.
The world's oldest known musical instrument is a flute, crafted from a griffon vulture's wing bone, discovered in Germany. Dating back 40,000 years, this 22-centimeter artifact features five finger holes, suggesting early humans could produce a range of notes. Its discovery in 2008 reveals music was central to the Aurignacian culture, pushing back the timeline of artistic expression.