Ancient flute discovered at Troy

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced in October 2026 the discovery of a small wind instrument, approximately 2,800 years old, found at the ancient site of Troy in north-western Turkey.

First musical instrument found at Troy in 160 years

This is the first musical instrument ever discovered at the site in over 160 years of archaeological research, marking a significant addition to the understanding of ancient life in the region.

The instrument is a bone flute

The object is a bone flute from the Archaic period, a time that began in the first millennium BCE and preceded the classical era of ancient Greece.

Only the head of the flute remains

Only the head of the flute, the part that would connect to the body, has survived, but it is enough for researchers to study its construction and design.

Ancient instruments rarely survive

Ancient instruments were often made from wood or reed, materials that decay quickly over time, making such discoveries extremely rare and valuable.

The flute offers a sonic glimpse into ancient Troy

The flute provides the first sonic trace of daily life in the city of Homer, offering a rare insight into the sounds and culture of the ancient world.