For this they were based on the fact that they had not found mouthpieces, conical pieces of wind instruments that enrich their sound. In other parts of Europe, especially in Scandinavia, they did.
Until Billy Ó Foghlú, a student at the Australian National University (ANU), was intrigued by a bronze object, called the Conical Spearbutt of Navan, which was built between 100 BC and 200 AD. It was believed that it was used to support spears on the ground, but Ó Foghlú was not convinced.
As this young archaeologist did not have access to the original piece, he made measurements and created an exact replica with a 3D printer. Then he placed it in an old Irish horn … and from there came a rich, velvety sound. "Suddenly, the instrument came to life," says the author of the discovery. “These trunks were not only used to hunt or make noise. They were carefully built and repaired, and played for hours. Music played a fundamental role in this culture ”, he adds.
As for the scarcity of mouthpieces in the archaeological record, the researcher believes that it is due to the custom of disassembling the instruments so that they would accompany their owners when they died. Several have been found buried in swamps.
Image: the nozzle made with a 3D printer is the one on the right, and it is accompanied by two modern pieces. Photo is by Stuart Hay / ANU.
