Death Whistle

The ancient history of the Aztec, Maya and Inca Civilizations has always been so fascinating to me. The first time I actually learned about them in school was probably in Eighth Grade, but I didn’t actually get really into their history until Sophomore year in my World History class. I learned about an instrument that the Aztecs made which was known as the “Death Whistle.” No one really knows the actual purpose for this instrument, but it is believed that the Aztecs used it as an intimidation tactic in war. I had never heard one before in my life until today. It’s probably one of the most terrifying sounds I have ever heard. It basically sounds like a screeching zombie. These Death Whistles were also believed to be used during human sacrifice rituals as well. It’s made using clay and ever since it’s discovery more and more anthropologists have become fascinated by it. This whistle is a part of the aerophone family because the sound is produced by air vibrating within the instrument. In 1999, there was a finding of a cadaver holding a whistle, and from then on researchers carried on the theory that they were used for human sacrifices. At first, the sound starts out pretty noticeable but not too loud. Then the sound picks up a bit more, and finally in the end the sound is so loud that your ears even begin to feel discomfort. To me it sounded like someone was screaming so I cannot even imagine what it would sound like to have so many whistles playing at once. What amazes me the most, however, is that they had these in ancient times. How did they first discover them? In other words, how did they come up with this idea to create this type of whistle? The instruments sound differs from any other instrument sound.