But new research is now showing another more sophisticated side of Neanderthals, who loved to make and listen to music. This means a lot considering the technology and intelligence it takes to create musical instruments and melodies not to mention the cultural sophistication required to make and appreciate music. Tools like a prehistoric flute can tell us much about the Neanderthal culture as well as our own civilization. By studying the tools of earliest human beings, we can discover more about the beginnings of human art and culture.
Students can also hear music played on the ancient flute.
Transcript Breathing new life into prehistoric song. I'm Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update. Fifty millennia ago, a Neanderthal may have entertained friends with flute music something like this. Boston University biologist and flutist Jelle Atema constructed this flute from an actual prehistoric cave bear bone. He designed it based on a fifty-thousand year old flute found in Slovenia.