In 2008, the earliest musical instrument discovered so far was found in a cave in Germany. The instrument, a flute, was originally believed to be about 35,000 years old. More recent carbon-⁠dating shows that it likely was carved as many as 40,000 to 45,000 years ago. Pieces of other ancient flutes were also found in the cave. The most intact flute is about nine inches long. It was carved from the wing bone of a very large bird called a griffon vulture. The flute has five finger holes that researches think may have been made using stone tools. The flute was probably played by blowing through the V-⁠shaped opening carved in the top. An archeologist used a griffon vulture bone to make a copy of the ancient flute and has been learning to play it.