Language
Country/Area
No result found
Divisiveness and Controversy: Does the Divje Babe bone flute prove Neanderthals were musical?
A fossil believed to be the oldest musical instrument has been discovered in the Divje Babe cave in Slovenia. The fossil is a flute made of animal bones. After many studies and disputes, its age can be traced back to 43,000 to 67,000 years ago. If confirmed, it would be the only evidence that Neanderthals may have had musical talent.
The history of music and musical instruments can be traced back to early human culture. The use of these early instruments was far more than just entertainment, and was used in various rituals and religious activities. This evolution has triggered a series of academic discussions, especially about whether Neanderthals were capable of music creation. Some scholars believe that the existence of the Divje Babe bone flute suggests that early humans may have had a form of musical expression. Other scholars have questioned this, believing that the bone flute is more likely to be animal bite marks than a musical instrument.
"If we believe that Divje Babe's bone flute was made by Neanderthals, then this will redefine our understanding of Neanderthal culture."
Researchers have conducted extensive archaeological digs to find more evidence to support or refute this theory. To date, a variety of musical instruments from different periods have been discovered, such as the mammoth bone flute and swan bone flute unearthed in the Swabian Alps in Germany. These flutes have been considered to be the product of more mature production techniques and have a higher acceptance rate. . These instruments in the area have been dated to approximately 30,000 to 37,000 years ago, demonstrating musical practices in prehistoric times.
By then, as scholars conduct more in-depth research on ancient instruments, they may find more evidence that further explains how early humans used instruments to create music and express emotions. This is not only a consideration of Neanderthal culture, but also a reassessment of the entire history of human music. Many archaeologists and musicologists focus on the instruments found and the accompanying cultural context.
"Whether Neanderthals had a sense of music may not be just a matter of a musical instrument, but a complex discussion of culture and emotion."
The importance of music in different cultures cannot be underestimated. The production and creation of music are not only characteristics of modern humans, but also reflect the wisdom and emotional depth of ancient humans. Ancient humans may have understood music differently from contemporary humans, and this unknown difference has once again aroused academic attention and various theoretical debates. Because of this, the discussion of the Divje Babe bone flute not only allows us to review the history of music, but also allows us to think more deeply about the role of music in early human life.
In view of the diversity of these discussions, the question of whether the Divje Babe bone flute can really prove that Neanderthals knew music is still causing widespread controversy and thinking in the academic community. Perhaps in future archaeological discoveries we will be able to answer this question more clearly, or, more likely, we will discover that the origins of musical expression are more complex and fascinating than we thought. Do we really understand the Neanderthal concept of music?
