Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology discovered a unique bone flute known as a ‘fipple flute’ during excavations in Herne Bay, Kent, on England’s southeastern coast.
![Rare Medieval bone flute unearthed in Kent](https://archaeologymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/medieval-flute.jpg)
It was unearthed in a pit with a ‘sunken-featured building,’ a common feature of north Kent’s later medieval landscape that is often associated with activities such as bread-baking and brewing.
Due to medieval pottery discovered nearby, it is believed to date to the 13th-15th centuries.
The musical instrument was made from the tibia shaft of either a sheep or a goat. The flute was expertly carved and has five finger holes along the top and one underneath.
![Rare Medieval bone flute unearthed in Kent](https://archaeologymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/instrument-flute.jpg)
Although such bone flutes were common, they are now rare archaeological finds. Despite the lack of a mouthpiece, the well-preserved object is otherwise complete, according to Cotswold Archaeology.
A comparable example, associated with a mid-14th century coin, was discovered in 1964 at Keynsham Abbey in Somerset.
More examples are found across Europe, notably in England, including Winchester, Flaxengate, Lincoln; Coppergate, York; and a pair of reed pipes from Ipswich, Suffolk.”