The oldest known instruments in the world are the Geisenklösterle Flutes. Three flutes were found at the Geisenklösterle Cave site, an archaeological site in southern Germany. The cave was first explored in 1963 and contains early prehistoric art from up to 43,000 years ago. During excavations in 2002, three flutes were discovered in an area with the oldest figurative art found anywhere in the world. Two flutes were made of mute swan bone, and the third was crafted from woolly mammoth ivory. The discovery suggests musical culture existed far earlier than initially believed, helping early humans maintain bonds with many people across a much more extensive geographical range. Further carbon dating studies suggest the age of the flutes to be approximately 42,000 to 43,000 years old.