Ancient flutes help track migratory path of early humans

New York Times : Modern humans may have migrated from Africa to Europe more than 42 000 years ago, earlier than previously thought. The evidence is based on improved radiocarbon testing of animal bones and ancient flutes found in caves of southwestern Germany. Earlier tests had indicated dates of 35 000 years ago for the artifacts. If correct, the new dates mean that modern humans first moved along the Danube River, a major migratory corridor, before the onset of an extremely cold phase of the ice age some 39 000 years ago, rather than waiting for warmer weather as had been assumed.The researchers published their findings in the Journal of Human Evolution.