An ancient bone flute has been unearthed, in near-complete condition, in SW Germany. Archaelogists date the stone-age dig to be approx 35,000 years old. Two other fragmentary instruments of a similar type were also found - indicating (according to the archaelogist) a society which put a high value on music. The instrument found has carefully-made finger-holes that suggest they were drilled and then filed with care and precision, to produce the exact intonation the maker/player had wanted. This instrument represents a culture who already knew how to make these instruments well - it's not a prototype or "experimental" version, but a well-made playing instrument.
THE NEW YORK TIMES reports (with photographs):
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/science/25flute.html?_r=1