“Death whistles,” or Aztec skull whistles, were short, carved instruments made of two opposing chambers where air could clash ...

The Aztec skull whistle produces a shrill, screaming sound. A study shows that these whistles have a disturbing effect on the human brain. The Aztecs may have deliberately used this effect in ...

During ritual ceremonies, the ancient Aztec civilization used a “death whistle” — a haunting instrument shaped like a human ...

The Aztec death whistle's scream-like sound evokes fear and symbolizes mythological deities, linking modern and ancient ...

Claudia Orbroki University of Zurich “Many ancient cultures used musical instruments in ritual ceremonies. Ancient Aztec communities from the pre-Columbian period of Mesoamerica had a rich ...

In cultures around the world, instruments have brought music and joy to rituals, ceremonies and everyday life. But in the forests of central Mexico, a single note from an Aztec whistle didn’t ...