Dr Lucy-Anne Taylor gave members of the Henley Archaeological & Historical Group a fascinating presentation on early sound and musical instruments, with recordings and practical demonstrations, on 3rd February.

There is archaeological evidence for musical instruments dating back tens of thousands of years, but Lucy-Anne concentrated on wind instruments of the 9th to the 11th centuries. Much of the evidence for the nature of these instruments was obtained from written sources, including illustrations in manuscripts. Some remains of the actual instruments have been found throughout England, although these are generally incomplete.

The simplest wind instrument was the horn, made from the horns of animals. The sound of the horn could be heard from a distance of as much as 500 metres, and it is believed that it was used for communication, in battle or hunting for example. More elaborate instruments such as flutes, hornpipes and parts of bagpipes, made from wood or animal bones, have been found. These instruments often had finger holes and may have been fitted with reeds made from plant stems or swan feathers.

One of the more sophisticated instruments found was a 9th/10th-century panpipe (pictured) found in York. This was made of boxwood, and the holes in it were skilfully drilled to give a tuned finished instrument. The most complex instrument of the time was the organ. No archaeological remains have yet been found, but there is documentary evidence in Winchester for an organ operated by manual bellows and slider.

Dr Taylor brought with her and played some instruments reconstructed to the best that available information allowed.