Anna Friederike Potengowski’s scientific contributions

The present paper provides a multidisciplinary approach integrating musicological, acoustical, and manufacturing aspects to the archaeological study of the mammoth ivory instrument from Geißenklösterle Cave (GK3). We present information on the archaeological background and the find history, and new insights into the playing technique of the instrument, confirming that GK3 was designed as a flute with a notch (M. Malina, S. C. Münzel). Subsequently, physical parameters causing pitch variability in general and their impact on the response of the low register of extended reconstructions are explored (G. Dalferth), before actual experiences of the chaîne opératoire of the GK3 ivory instrument are supplied (W. Hein). Due to its incompleteness, this Palaeolithic instrument allows for variability in reconstructing. A comparative tonal analysis of eight GK3 reconstructions in different lengths was conducted (A. F. Potengowski), offering new clues to possible musical intervals of the original instrument. Finally, the requirements for future research are considered.