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Neolithic musical instruments, represent advancements in music-making. During the neolithic time period. Which followed the Paleolithic one, and lasted roughly from around 10,000 to 4,000 years ago. And, depending on location
During this time, humans transitioned from hunter gatherer, to permanent agricultural communities. It lead to innovations that included various aspects of culture. Like music, and instrument creation.

Drums were typically made from animal skins stretched over wooden frames
Neolithic drums were likely used for rhythmic accompaniment. Like at rituals, or ceremonies.

Flutes were made of bone, wood, or other materials
Flutes were similar in design to Paleolithic ones. However may have had exhibited some advancements in craftsmanship. Like carved symbols, shapes, figurines or writing.

Lyres, harps, or other stringed instruments were developed
These instruments were primitive. And, likely had fewer strings compared to more modern versions.


Percussion instruments such as rattles, clappers, and simple bells were used
Creating musical expression. They were probably also used for ritualistic purposes.


Animal horns
Beginning use as we now know is natural wind instruments. Animal horns begin producing sounds through blowing into there opening, and, by modifying the horn’s shape. And, primitive to what we now see today in instruments like the saxophone or clarienet.


Clappers or xylophones were made from stones, bones, and on wooden frames
From the vibration of the instrument. Sounds were produced. And, another impactful instrument was created during this time.
Drums; flutes; stringed, percussion instruments; animal horns; and, clappers represent cultural and technological advancements from the neolithic era. As we transitioned to more settled lifestyles. It included the development of new forms of artistic expression. Archaeological findings, as well as depictions in art and cultural artifacts, produced neolithic architecture. All providing valuable insights, into the types of musical instruments we now know today.
Bibliography:
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, April 10). Lyres of ur. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyres_of_Ur
Classic of Poetry, “Major Court Hymns – Decade of King Wen – Ling Tai”, quote: “鼉鼓逢逢、朦瞍奏公。” tr: “The alligator-drums rumble and grumble; while the tunes are played by the blind musicians’ ensemble.”
“Earliest musical instrument discovered” (https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/science/25flute.html). The New York Times. June 24, 2009
Conard, Nicholas J.; Malina, Maria; Münzel, Susanne C.(2009). “New flutes document the earliest musical tradition in southwestern Germany”. Nature. 460 (7256): 737–40.
Bibcode:2009Natur.460..737C (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009Natur.460..737C). doi:10.1038/nature08169 (https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnature08169). ISSN 0028-0836 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0028-0836). PMID 19553935 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19553935). S2CID 4336590 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:4336590)
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