What did archaeologists find in Neolithic Catalonia?

Archaeologists discovered 12 large conch shell trumpets dating back 6,000 years.

What sound do the ancient Catalan shell trumpets make?

The shell trumpets produce a powerful, stable tone, comparable to a French horn.

What were the uses of the conch shell trumpets found in Catalonia?

They were likely used for long-distance communication and as early musical instruments.

Home / Science / Neolithic Seashell Horns: Europe's Oldest Instruments

Neolithic Seashell Horns: Europe's Oldest Instruments

2 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Six-thousand-year-old conch shell trumpets were found in Catalonia.
These ancient instruments produced tones similar to a French horn.
Shell trumpets served as communication tools and musical instruments.

Neolithic Seashell Horns: Europe's Oldest Instruments

Archaeologists have unearthed large conch shell trumpets in Neolithic settlements and mines in Catalonia, dating back 6,000 years. These ancient instruments, dating from the late fifth to early fourth millennia BC, were found to produce a powerful, stable tone, comparable to a French horn. Their utilitarian purpose as long-distance communication tools and rudimentary musical instruments is supported by evidence of their modification for sound production.

Experiments reveal these ancient 'sound technologies' could be manipulated to change their tone and timbre, similar to modern brass instruments like trumpets and trombones. The shells may have been used to communicate between settlements, across agricultural landscapes, or even within the mines where they were discovered. This suggests a sophisticated understanding of acoustics and sound manipulation among Neolithic peoples.