By Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent, BBC News
Scientists in Germany have published details of flutes dating back to the time that modern humans began colonising Europe, 35,000 years ago.
The flutes are the oldest musical instruments found to date. The researchers say in the Journal Nature that music was widespread in pre-historic times.
Music, they suggest, may have been one of a suite of behaviours displayed by our own species which helped give them an edge over the Neanderthals.