9,000-year-old playable bone flutes. The earliest known musical instruments still producing accurate tones.
Prof. Gary Lee Todd, CC BY-SA 4.0
Neolithic concert
At the Jiahu archaeological site in Henan province, researchers have uncovered evidence of a complex Neolithic society that existed between 7000 and 5700 BCE. Excavations since 1983 have revealed houses, pottery kilns, and thousands of artifacts. Among the most significant finds are more than 30 bone flutes, or "gǔdí," with at least six being complete and playable. These instruments, dating back as far as 9,000 years, are the earliest complete, playable, multi-note musical instruments ever discovered.
The flutes are crafted from the ulna—the wing bone—of the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). This large bird, with a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters, provided bones of a suitable length and hollow structure for creating musical instruments. The recovered flutes vary in design, featuring five, six, seven, or eight finger holes. The most common type has seven holes. One of the best-preserved examples, a seven-holed flute designated M282:20, is around 23.6 cm long and was unearthed in 1987. The craftsmanship indicates a standardized method of production; markings were evenly spaced before the holes were drilled, and the instruments were then tested and fine-tuned.
Recreating ancient sounds
Acoustic analysis of the Jiahu flutes shows a sophisticated understanding of sound and pitch. Tonal tests on the best-preserved seven-holed flute revealed that it can produce a scale with tones remarkably similar to the Western eight-note scale. Studies conducted at the Music School of the Art Institute of China confirmed that the instrument can play a six-note scale and that the hole placement was carefully calculated. Microscopic examination of the finger holes shows spiral marks left by drills, indicating a meticulous manufacturing process.
The musical capabilities of the flutes developed over time at the Jiahu site. Earlier flutes from around 7000 BCE with five or six holes could produce four- and five-note scales. Later, seven-holed flutes were capable of producing seven-note scales and altered notes, suggesting a progressive understanding of musical theory. The precision of these instruments indicates that the Jiahu musicians could play melodies, and multiple notes. The discovery pushes back the history of music in China by thousands of years and is rare, direct evidence of the sounds of the Neolithic period. The broader Jiahu culture also shows other signs of complexity, including the earliest evidence of rice farming, fermented alcoholic beverages made from rice and honey, and inscribed symbols that may be a form of proto-writing.
💡Fun Facts
The flutes are made from the ulna of the red-crowned crane, a bird still culturally significant in East Asia.
The best-preserved flute was used to play the Chinese folk song "Little Cabbage" (Xiao Bai Cai) during acoustic testing.
The Jiahu site also contains some of the world's earliest evidence for fermented beverages—a drink made from rice, honey, and hawthorn fruit.
Along with flutes, archaeologists found pictograms carved on tortoise shells at Jiahu, which may be precursors to later Chinese writing.
The Jiahu flutes are housed in the Henan Museum. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday. Summer hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Winter hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays, except for national holidays. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Admission
Free. Visitors need to book tickets in advance using their ID via the museum's official WeChat account.
Accessibility
The museum offers facilities such as wheelchairs and baby carriages. Security checks are required for entry. Self-service storage lockers are available.
