Neolithic bone flute still plays melodies

Among the 30-odd bone flutes unearthed from the Jiahu Neolithic Site in Henan province, one in the collections of the Henan Museum is a particularly brilliant example. Made of a crane’s ulna bone, it can play approximate seven-tone scale music and even complex modern melodies. It is the oldest musical instrument ever found in China.

The flute was discovered placed inside the left thighbone of the tomb occupant, and was proved broken into three sections before it was buried. It must have been very precious to his owner, who had made it reconnected and was prepared to play it in the afterlife.

As a wonder of ancient Chinese music, the discovery of Jiahu bone flutes rewrites the history of Chinese and global music.