Sunday 28 June 2009

Oldest Musical Instrument Found



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 team from Tubingen University published details of three flutes, found in the Hohle Fels cavern in southwest Germany. The researchers say in the Journal Nature that music was widespread in pre-historic times.


The cavern is already well known as a site for signs of early human efforts; in May. members of the same team unveiled a Hohle Fels find that could be the worlds oldest Venus figure.


The most well-preserved of the flutes is made from a vulture's wing bone, measuring 20cm long with five finger holes and two'V'-shaped notches on one end of the instrument into which the researchers assume the player blew. The find brings the total number of flutes discovered from this era to eight, four made from mammoth ivory and four made from bird bones.


According to Professor Nicholas Conard of Tubingen University the modern humans that came into the area already had a whole range of symbolic artifacts, figurative art, depictions of mythological creatures, many kinds of personal ornaments and also a well-developed musical tradition. The flutes provide yet more evidence of the sophistication of the people that lived at that time.
*************
To hear the flute as it would have sounded 35,000 years ago, click on the video link given below:
*************

Definitions (Medical)

Fester
Quicker than someone else.

Fibula
A small lie.

Genital
Non-Jewish person.

Impotent
Distinguished, well known.

Labour Pain
Getting hurt at work.

Morbid
A better offer than I had.

Cat Nap

Uff Da!


When immigrants came to the U.S. from various lands, they strove to become thoroughly American. It became common practice to speak only English in the presence of the children.
However, one expression Norwegian immigrants found it impossible to shed was "Uff Da!". The term sounds just like what it seeks to convey.....disgruntlement.
It is a perfectly polite expression which may be used in place of various vulgarisms employed to evince displeasure.
In Norway, Charlie Brown says, "Uff Da!" instead of "Good grief!".

************************
Lena is pregnant with Ole's child. Late one night, Lena vakes Ole and says, "I think it's time!"
So Ole fired up the Yohn Deere tractor and took her to the hospital to have their first baby.
She had a little boy, and the doctor looked over at Ole and said, "A son! Ain't dat great!"
Well, Ole got excited by dis, but yust den the doctor spoke up and said, "Hold on!" We ain't finished yet!"

The doctor den held up a little girl. He said, "Hey, Ole! You got you a daughter! She's a pretty little ting , too."
Ole got kind of puzzled by this, an then the doctor said, "Holey Moley, Ole we still ain't done yet!"
The doctor then delivered another boy and said, "Ole, you yust had yourself another boy!"
Ole was flabbergasted by this news!
A couple of days later, Ole brought Lena and their three children home in a self-propelled combine.
He was real serious and he asked Lena, "How come we got tree on the first try?"
Lena said, "You remember dat night we ran out of Vaseline and you vent out in the garage and got dat dere 3-in-1 Oil?"
Ole said, "Yeah, I do. Uff Da! It's a dam good thing I didn't get the WD-40!"


Did You Know?




'Stewardesses'

Is the longest word typed

with only the left hand!









And lollipop is the longest

word typed with

your right hand!







No word in the English

language rhymes with

month, orange,silver

or purple!








Today's Smile


Who Am I?

Ten more clues for you to solve in order to identify our latest mystery celebrity. Can you work out who it is?

01 I was born on 13 October 1970.
02 I was born in Kingswood (a suburb of Bristol).
03 My father was a bus driver, my mother a supermarket cashier.
04 I have two brothers and one sister.
05 I sang in the church choir at Christ Church, Bristol.
06 I was bullied at school.
07 I gained an honours degree in 1993 from University College, Plymouth St Mark and St John, majoring in Humanities.
08 In 1996, I was elected the youngest member of Bristol City Council.
09 I once sang in a karaoke, dressed as Mathew Kelly and singing opera.
10 I used to be a manager for Carphone Warehouse.

Well, who do you think this can be?