A stringed instrument made from a deer antler was discovered in southern Vietnam. It is dated to 2,000 years ago during the time of the pre-Óc Eo culture, making it one of the oldest chordophones ever discovered in Southeast Asia. According to Fredeliza Campos, “It fills the gap between the region’s earliest known musical instruments – lithophones or stone percussion plates – and more modern instruments.” The instrument would have been 14 inches long. It has a hole at the top, which is what got the researchers’ attention since it was probably for a tuning peg. It also has a notched bridge to support the string(s). The antler was one of 600 bone artifacts that were found, and three bronze bells were unearthed as well. Here’s Campos again, “The striking similarities between the artifacts we studied and some stringed instruments that are still being played suggest that traditional Vietnamese music has its origins in the prehistoric past.” The researchers believe it would have been played similarly to today’s K’ný. If you’re not familiar with the K’ný, check this out — it really is worth a listen. The musician’s mouth controls the sound and acts as the resonator.