Neolithic Shell Trumpets in Spain Offer New Perspectives on Ancient Music

Neolithic shell trumpets from northeastern Spain, specifically in Catalonia, may have been used for communication over long distances and as musical instruments around six thousand years ago. Archaeologists Miquel Lopez-Garcia and Margarita Diaz-Andreu of the University of Barcelona examined twelve large Charonia lampas shells, which were collected posthumously after the sea snails had died, indicating they were not used for food.

The removal of the shells' pointed tips suggests they functioned as trumpets. Lopez-Garcia, a professional trumpet player, demonstrated that he could produce a powerful, stable tone from eight of the ancient shells, comparable to the tone of a French horn.

He identified that by inserting his hand into the shell openings and blowing with specific sounds, he could shape the notes produced. This suggests that such sounds may have been used by Neolithic communities for communication, possibly between different settlements, farmers in surrounding fields, or workers in greenstone mines where six of the shells were discovered.

These findings provide a fascinating glimpse into the musical practices of ancient cultures, indicating complex social rituals and communication methods. The original scholarly article detailing this research can be found in Antiquity.