At least 50,000 years old, the Divje Babe flute is attributed to the Middle Paleolithic period and was discovered in 1995 at the Divje Babe I cave near Cerkno, Slovenia. Made from the femur of a cave bear cub, it measures 11.2 cm (4.4 in) and is pierced by a series of holes arranged in a line. The artifact has been interpreted by some researchers, including Ivan Turk and colleagues, as the world’s oldest known musical instrument, having possibly been made by Neanderthals. According to the Nation

Discovered in 1995, a Neanderthal-made flute from a cave bear’s bone changed history. Estimated at 50,000–60,000 years old, it can still produce diatonic notes, proving that Neanderthals had a deep sense of art and culture. It now rests in Slovenia’s National Museum. | Lost in History