Here are some interesting whistles (flutes) - made after the style of
antique Mayan sculptures (reproduction pieces).
http://www.yxayotl.com/flute.html
Clay rattles of the Maya were called "Sonajas" (So-nah-haws) ... Silbatos
are clay whistles. Many Mayan works depict figures holding clay rattles.
This was from a site on Ancient Rome:
"The babies of ancient Rome also played with small clay rattles. The clay
rattles resembled tiny clay sealed vases with a few beads or seeds inside.
When shaken, these tiny rattles produced a melodic tinkle which easily
calmed a fussy baby."
Some ancient clay rattles have turned up in Egypt too (Late Bronze and Iron
ages)
http://www.bu.edu/anep/AinShemsIIRattle.gif
Bronze Age (1200 BC) "A few objects are identified as musical instruments:
bronze cymbals, jug-shaped clay rattles, ivory castanets. Small
single-handled clay rattles first appear in the Late Bronze II, probably
just thirteenth century. The rattles are much smaller than later Iron II
rattles." ( http://www.bu.edu/anep/LB.html )
Iron Age -- "RATTLES: Heavy clay rattles occur in some Iron II contexts.
Due to their large size, it is doubtful that these hour-glass shaped
instruments could function as infant rattles. They probably were used in
musical processions (2 Samuel 6:5). As for other musical instruments, most
have not survived except in depiction." http://www.bu.edu/anep/Ir.html
