These Newly Discovered 12,000-Year-Old Instruments Had An Extremely Unusual Purpose

A collection of prehistoric flutes once used by the ancient Natufians has been unearthed in Israel, and, when played, they mimic the calls of birds of prey. Carved – somewhat ironically – from bird bones, the diminutive flutes date back 12,000 years and are among the smallest prehistoric instruments ever found. They're far from playable, but researchers constructed replicas using computer software and found that they emitted a sound similar to that of the Eurasian sparrowhawk or common kestrel, likely for music-making and use during hunting.

These Newly Discovered 12,000-Year-Old Instruments Had An Extremely Unusual Purpose