Startling Sounds From 6,000-Year-Old Shells Hint at Their Ancient Use : ScienceAlert

Neolithic Conch Shells Used as Ancient Horns for Long-Distance Communication

Recent discoveries at Neolithic archaeological sites dating back 6,000 years have revealed the potential technological capabilities of oddly shaped conch shells. Scientists have determined that these shells were used as a form of early technology to produce incredibly loud noises, reaching up to 111.5 decibels when blown into. This volume is comparable to that of a car horn or chainsaw.

Archaeologists Miquel López-Garcia and Margarita Díaz-Andreu from the University of Barcelona in Spain conducted experiments by blowing into the conch shells, leading to the surprising revelation that these shells may have served as long-distance signaling tools for the people who inhabited the Catalonia sites where they were found.

Uncovering the Role of Conch Shells in Ancient Times

Conch shells, the shells of large sea snails, have been discovered at various archaeological sites, sparking speculation about their possible functions, be it musical or otherwise. Through experimentation and sound production using these ancient shells, researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that our ancestors used them as horns, with the oldest known such object dating back 17,000 years.

Many conch shells have been unearthed at sites across Catalonia, Spain, dating to the late 5th and early 4th millennia BCE. While previous speculation hinted at their potential use in sound production, detailed investigations were lacking until López-Garcia and Díaz-Andreu delved into the matter.

Conducting Detailed Studies on Conch Shells

The researchers meticulously studied 12 conch shells collected from five archaeological sites, with López-Garcia, a professional trumpet player, attempting to produce sound by blowing into them. All 12 shells had their apexes removed, creating a hole essential for blowing into the shell like a horn.

Signs of biological markings left by other creatures on some shells indicated that these were collected after the inhabitants had perished, suggesting that the empty shells were sought after as artifacts rather than the snails within. Some shells even had small holes that were potentially made to modify the sound’s tone.

Discoveries and Implications

Through these experiments, López-Garcia successfully produced sound reaching volumes exceeding 100 decibels in seven out of eight shells, akin to the noise level of a motorcycle. Furthermore, some shells exhibited multiple pitches when blown into, hinting at the potential for musical expression.

While the primary use of these conch shells was likely for long-distance communication due to their high-intensity sounds, the possibility of them being used as musical instruments with expressive capabilities cannot be discounted. The research sheds light on the ancient technological ingenuity of Neolithic farmers and their innovative use of conch shells for communication and potentially musical purposes.

This fascinating study, exploring the dual functionality of conch shells as horns and musical instruments, has been documented in the journal Antiquity, offering valuable insights into the ancient practices of our ancestors.