Researchers have recorded sounds from ancient conch shell trumpets, found at a pre-Inca religious site in Peru.

The instruments, known as pututus, were created from trombus galeatus marine shells. Archaeologists unearthed 20 complete pututus in 2001 at Chavín de Huántar, an ancient ceremonial center in the Andes.

Polished, painted and etched with symbols, the shells had well-formed mouthpieces and distinct V-shaped cuts. The cuts may have been used as a rest for the player’s thumb.  

“You can really feel it in your chest,” says acoustic researcher Jonathan Abel. “It has a rough texture like a tonal animal roar.”

You can hear the sound of the pututu via the link below. 

Link:

• Pututu demo (.mp3)
• Ancient trumpets in Science News

James Lewin
Twitter @podcasting_news

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