Phalangeal pipe

Phalangeal flute

Phalange pipes (also phalange flutes ) are simple signal pipes made from the toe bones of wild animals ( chamois , deer , deer , reindeer , saigas , ibexes and wild horses ), which have been found in the Aurignac cave since the first discoveries in 1860 (eponymous site of the Aurignacia culture stage ). be interpreted as hunting whistles. Phalangeal pipes seem to be connected to the Neanderthal discovery site in Tata ( Hungary ) as well as the aurignacia- period finds of the Pekárna cave (Moravia) and Vogelherd cave (south-west Germany) and are documented in the inventories from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic ( Västergötland , Sweden) .

Characteristics of animal bite can often be seen. In some cases, carefully crafted holes are proven. It is discussed whether the pipe holes were created artificially or whether the first pipes were products of chance. Perforated phalanges come from recent hyena feces, which are similar to those found in prehistoric contexts.

As a means of earliest communication beyond language, Claus-Stephan Holdermann describes the signal whistles, which are limited to one tone.

See also

• Phalangeal idol

literature

• C.-S. Holdermann et al. (Ed.): Ice Age Art in the South German-Swiss Jura . Theiss; Stuttgart 2001, p. 92
• Rudolf Albert Maier: The Neolithic "phalangeal pipes", perforated "phalangeal idols" and phalangeal pendants: a contribution to the question of foot and shoe symbolism 1958

Web links

• Stone age music