The Divje Babe flute is a cave bear femur pierced by spaced holes that was found at the Divje Babe archeological park located near Cerkno in northwestern Slovenia. It has been suggested that it was made by Neanderthals, however according to Slovenian archeologist Brodar it was made by Cro-Magnon as an element of Central European Aurignacian. Its hole spacing and alignment suggest it is most probably the world's oldest known musical instrument. Alternative hypotheses notwithstanding, the artifact remains on prominent public display as a flute in the National Museum of Slovenia (Narodni Muzej Slovenije) in Ljubljana. The museum's visitor leaflet maintains that manufacture by Neanderthals "is reliably proven".
Read more about Divje Babe Flute: Site and Similar Findings in Slovenia, "Neanderthal Flute"
Famous quotes containing the words babe and/or flute:
“An’ when the earth’s as cauld’s the mune
An’ a’ its folk are lang syne deid,
On coontless stars the Babe maun cry
An’ the Crucified maun bleed.”
—Hugh MacDiarmid (1892–1978)
“blow as he would, though it made a great noise,
The flute would play only ‘The Protestant Boys’.”
—Unknown. The Old Orange Flute (l. 23–24)