Stone Age Music: 60,000-Year-Old Neanderthal Flute Was Made From Bear Bone
not by a long shot: not at all; not even close to being true
In Israel, scientists discovered flutes made from bird bones. These miniature flutes are 12,000 years old. The sound these flutes make is very similar to bird calls. Perhaps these ancient instruments were used by hunters to lure birds. Are these the oldest flutes ever found? Not by a long shot!
A 60,000-year-old flute made by Neanderthals was found in a cave in Slovenia in 1995. It is the oldest musical instrument ever discovered!
It’s made from the bone of a young cave bear. The Neanderthal musicians made holes in the bone to create a flute. Scientists say that the holes were not accidental. They were carefully created for the purpose of music.
Why did they play music? No one can say whether they did so to communicate, hunt, or express happiness like modern humans do today. Watch the short video below to hear what replicas of the oldest musical instrument sound like.
Sample sentences
1. John thought he had the best score, but he wasn’t the winner, not by a long shot.
2. His work is good, but it’s not the best in the class, not by a long shot.
3. She might be a good singer, but she’s not the best in the competition, not by a long shot.
Read More:
These 12,000-Year-Old Flutes Mimic the Sound of Prehistoric Birds