Madrid. During excavations conducted in the Catalonia region of Spain, 6000-year-old giant sea shells have been found, which were used to send messages over long distances. This discovery by Spanish archaeologists has surprised even modern science. These shells were not merely decorative objects, but were an important part of an effective and organized communication system of ancient farming communities. Scientists say that the sound emanating from these conch shells is so loud and clear even today that it can echo in the entire valley and can easily reach the deep mines under the ground. During the research, scientists tested the sound capability of these ancient conch shells by blowing them again. The study revealed that these horns, made from the shells of large sea snails called ‘Caronia Lampas’, can produce sounds louder than 100 decibels. Of the 12 conch shells found from five different archaeological sites, eight are still fully functional. A conch found in the best condition recorded a sound of up to 111.5 decibels, which is approximately equal to a car horn. In open plains and hilly areas such sounds could be heard several kilometers away. These shells have not been found from only one type of places. Scientists have also found them in fields, caves and underground mines, which were spread over an area of about 10 kilometers.
This indicates that it was not a tradition limited to any one place, but a shared cultural and practical system adopted throughout the region. In mountainous and cavernous areas, where it was difficult to see far, these shells would have been the most reliable means of sending information. In deep mines, their echo may have also been used to give safety signals or warnings. Research has also revealed that ancient artisans had prepared these conch shells with great care. By removing the upper part of the conch, a special mouthpiece about 20 mm wide was made, due to which the sound coming out remained stable and controlled. Small holes have also been found in some conch shells, which suggest that they were used by hanging them with the help of a string or by carrying them with them. Natural holes and marks made by marine creatures have also been found on them, which prove that they were not selected for food, but for the purpose of producing sound.
It also became clear in the tests that these conch shells were not limited to only one type of sound. Some conch shells could produce three different notes, which were musically accurate and repeatable. With the help of a professional trumpet player, the acoustic performance of these conch shells was measured, proving that Stone Age people were not limited to rituals only, but also used extremely advanced instruments for practical needs. However, a big question is also associated with this discovery. The use of this communication technology suddenly stopped around 3600 BC. There is no evidence of these shells in the later levels of the Bronze Age.
