Some ancient Peruvian pottery can sound like a bird: whistling vessels contain a small whistle. Some are sounded by blowing; others make sound as liquid moves between chambers.

In the latter, moving liquid displaces air and pushes it through the whistle. The vessel shown in the museum film dates to AD 800–1300 and comes from Peru’s Lambayeque region; its hidden interior makes the ceramic container an instrument.

Ancient pottery that sings when water moves

Sound on: the museum demonstrates an ancient Peruvian vessel by tilting it and blowing into its spout — The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015). Architectural vessel AD 800–1300, Peru, Lambayeque; AMNH B/8285. Actual demonstration and explanatory animation.

Museum animation revealing the vessel’s connected interior and airflow — The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015). Architectural vessel AD 800–1300, Peru, Lambayeque; AMNH B/8285. Actual demonstration and explanatory animation.

The Lambayeque architectural whistling vessel featured in the museum film — The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015). Architectural vessel AD 800–1300, Peru, Lambayeque; AMNH B/8285. Actual demonstration and explanatory animation.

Ancient pottery that sings when water moves

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