Acutus’ Eagle Bone and Two Bone Tubes with Holes Found in A Roman Fleet Base in The Netherlands - About Signalling Whistles and Animal Calls

Abstract

At the location of a former Roman military fort and fleet base existing from AD 15-28 in Velsen, The Netherlands, more than 3000 bones and bone fragments were excavated. Three of these can be interpreted as musical instruments. Two bone tubes, of a roe deer and a stork, are provided with one and three holes respectively, on the third, a length of an eagle wing bone with one joint removed and the other left on, is scribed a name. This article investigates the possibility that these were made as wind instruments: as reed instruments and as rim-blown vessel flutes. Their sound-producing qualities and the context suggest they once were used as animal calls.

Keywords

• roman era
• the netherlands
• music and musical instruments