Is music our greatest invention? Experts have produced three notes on an ancient shell once used as a musical instrument. They were the first humans to hear it for thousands of years.
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Ancient horn plays music after 17,000 years
Is music our greatest invention? Experts have produced three notes on an ancient shell once used as a musical instrument. They were the first humans to hear it for thousands of years.
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What's happening?
In 1931, archaeologistsSomeone whose job it is to understand what people of the past were like and how they lived. They dig up old buildings and objects to find out more about ancient peoples. working in France found an ancient shell in a cave. It was a conchA very large sea snail with a thick spiral shell. It is also the name of the shell itself, which people collect once empty.. It was painted carefully in red paint.
They saved it. They thought it was a special cup used by early humans. But now, modern scientists have found the real answer. The shell is not for drinking. It is a musical instrument.
Humans have been fascinated by shells for thousands of years. Over the centuries, we have used them as magical objects, drinking cups - and for making music.
This is one of the oldest man-madeThe shells themselves are natural, but people can change them by drilling into them or adding bits on. In this case, humans added a mouthpiece. shells ever found. The paint on the shell matches cave paintings that are about 18,000 years old.
Find out more
Archaeologist Carole Fritz led the team studying the shell. She found it was not a cup at all. It had a mouthpiece and holes for changing notes.
They invited a professional French hornA circular brass instrument with a large opening at the end. When uncoiled, the horn is a piece of metal around four metres long. player to come and test out the shell.
Carole said hearing it for the first time made her feel "big emotion".
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Is music our greatest invention?
Yes! Music is a universal language. It can be enjoyed by all people around the world. It brings us closer with people from history. Listening to music can cheer us up. It can help us through difficult times. It is a great invention!
No. Music is not really an invention. It is something we are born with. The best inventions are the things that have changed life for the better. They are things like trains, medicine or the internet!
Keywords
Archaeologists - Someone whose job it is to understand what people of the past were like and how they lived. They dig up old buildings and objects to find out more about ancient peoples.
Conch - A very large sea snail with a thick spiral shell. It is also the name of the shell itself, which people collect once empty.
Man-made - The shells themselves are natural, but people can change them by drilling into them or adding bits on. In this case, humans added a mouthpiece.
French horn - A circular brass instrument with a large opening at the end. When uncoiled, the horn is a piece of metal around four metres long.
Ancient horn plays music after 17,000 years
Glossary
Archaeologists - Someone whose job it is to understand what people of the past were like and how they lived. They dig up old buildings and objects to find out more about ancient peoples.
Conch - A very large sea snail with a thick spiral shell. It is also the name of the shell itself, which people collect once empty.
Man-made - The shells themselves are natural, but people can change them by drilling into them or adding bits on. In this case, humans added a mouthpiece.
French horn - A circular brass instrument with a large opening at the end. When uncoiled, the horn is a piece of metal around four metres long.