Musical instruments

In a recent study, Dr. Matthew S. Taylor presents a compelling reexamination of human bone artifacts unearthed at various prehistoric archaeological sites across South Texas. These modified bones, which were collected by ancient Native American peoples, have until now received little attention in terms of detailed analysis or cultural interpretation. But it seems they were used for different purposes, with some actually being turned into musical instruments. Dr. Taylor, a specialist in the bioarchaeology of Texas, has long been fascinated by the region’s prehistoric past. His passion for archaeology was sparked early on by childhood visits to his grandparents' ranch in Central Texas, a property dotted with archaeological sites. For his study, which has been published in the Journal of