LISTEN to a 17,000-YEAR-OLD Musical Instrument | Ancient Architects

Back in the year 1931, a number of artefacts were discovered in the Marsoulas Cave in Southern France. One such item was a large conch or sea snail shell that was believed to be a communal or ceremonial cup used by the Magdelenian hunter-gatherers who roamed the region surrounding the Pyrenees Mountains towards the end of the last ice age.

Recently, the items from the cave have been re-examined and using modern, high-tech imaging technology, researchers have realised that this conch shell is not a cup but a musical instrument.

This is because the shell was purposefully re-shaped by humans, engineered in such a way to produce clear and distinct musical notes, C, D and C Sharp and at the end of this video, I’ll show you exactly how the instrument sounds.


Watch this video to learn about this incredible discovery, see detailed pictures and also hear the ancient instrument being played.

[FourOfClubs]

Wind instruments are not forgiving for the amateurs. Someone should take it away from the scientists and give it to a professional musician to try to figure it out so we can know how it's really supposed to sound.

[matthewnewberry]

Three chords was enough for rock and roll.

[dexter]

While listening, I closed my eyes and imagined myself in the cave. It is amazing to hear something so old, and to imagine what they would have heard back then. Thanks for sharing this, it was beautiful! 3 notes or 1, it was something I am happy to have experienced.

[AtlasReburdened]

Clearly an instrument dedicated to the ancient god of beans.

[WildAlchemicalSpirit]

There's a commune here in Northern California that uses a conch shell to alert community members. You can hear it from miles away. It's generally used to let people know that food is ready in the communal kitchen.

[ScaryStoriesNYC]

That' was magical, thank you. I have to admit, I laughed out loud when I finally heard what it sounded like. I bet people from the ice age had stronger lungs than whoever that was in that recording.

[TheEnabledDisabled]

Ancient Architects and researchers: this was clearly a ritualistic object used during important events and ceremonies

The cavemen: do the beat Shaman, it lit

[gurukarthick]

The conch was integral part in ancient indian they were used for a variety of occasions as war horns to sacred religious it is one of the sacred musical the sama veda is of musical it is recited as samagaana or song and these instruments were part of those recitals.... like you told, the shamans used hallucinogenic herbs in these the rituals included the use of Soma, a herb which is mixed with milk and offered to the there are lot of other kinds of cord, wind and percussion instruments mentioned in the ancient texts

[keepmoving]

I'm all for drugs, but must we really underestimate the power of boredom in a cave? Can't these folks be genuinely wanting to enjoy art and expression?

[joeperez]

Can't hold a candle to my mean rendition of "Hot Cross Buns" on the recorder, in 6th grade, 50 years ago.

[booboolips]

That tune at the end probably hit the charts at #1, 17, 000 years ago😄

[JohnnyRebKy]

As a musician i find it facinating people so long ago were making musical instruments. And it's just the ones we know about. Hard telling what else is out there that's even older. Music is really what separates us from animals and i don't believe we are from an ape.

[SudeshChouhan]

Brother this conch shell is actively and largely playe in all Indian Temples since thousands of years. It produces same sound.
This is also mentioned in Ancient Indian texts which are more than 5000 years old.

[gruboniell]

Love it. Musical notes is one of the sacred mysteries. To be found at that age is amazing.

[MontyCraig]

This is fun! Thanks so much for this! Love you channel! As a musician, I appreciate a post like this. One thing to consider is that there were probably more shells involved in musical performances. Multiple shells of various sizes can be sitting right next to each other and can be picked up and played very fast and then set down and another picked up to create complex melodies. How many and how complex, we don't know, but considering they got this far, see logical. Now this is all notwithstanding other uses for the shells, probably most likely for signaling. Check out jazz trombonist Steve Turre's performances with multiple shells. They sound very visceral and can really take your genetic memory a step back. Cheers!

[meditationmusicbyalexjackson]

I have a conch shell horn here, its a Buddhist ritual instrument and auspicious symbol. Originally used by bonpo practioners. Mine sounds exactly like this one.

[Chrisb]

After hearing it played, it does not convince me, that its a musical instrument, great video Matt

[ZenDrums]

Great video. Hare Krishnas use these conch shells in temple ceremonies and festivities.

[juliestockmeyer]

I can hear how that sound could have been mesmerizing!! Thank you Matt!!!

[summerbrooks]

Wow! This presentation was content rich! Thank you so much!