Bone Flutes- Fort Ancient Settlement, OH
Institution: Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
State: Ohio
Object: Instrument
Era: Woodland Period
Both bone flutes were discovered at Fort Ancient Settlement, not to be confused with the Fort Ancient Culture that developed in late prehistoric Ohio. Fort Ancient Settlement is known for having large earthen works, connections to astronomy and trade items similar to Hopewell Culture National Historical Park located 70 miles east.
Although the context of these flutes are unknown, other bone flutes have been recovered from burials at Indian Knoll in Kentucky and at Angel Mounds in Indiana. Ethnographic research also described bone flutes in context with “love songs, welcoming parties, ceremonies, healing ceremonies, and ball games”.
Despite their ubiquitous presence, prehistoric bone flutes varied in size, and possibly, sound. Most flutes are come from large bird bones and perforated keys were made by drilling or burning the surface. Nearly all cases have holes arranged in a line but some flutes have perforations on both sides.
Archaeologists have conducted numerous experiments to understand the connection between hole placement and sound. One researcher described a three hole flute as having , “…three tones , but the number of tones does not correspond to the number of stops . The central stop does not alter the tone , and when it is closed, alone or with either or both of the others , there is no musical note”.
