Discover the oldest 1200-year-old phone in the world

Archaeologists have found in the Chan Chan ruins of Peru a sophisticated communication device, dating back to 1,200 - 1,400 years ago.

Find the oldest phone in the world

According to Acient Origins, this is evidence of the development of the Chimu community, living in the coastal area of ​​the Río Moche valley, Northern Peru.

"Only one phone is found. The unique thing is that it comes from an indigenous society without writing," said Ramiro Matos, curator of the Indian National Museum (NMAI).

The oldest phone in the world.(Photo: Acient Origins).

This first "phone" was a device to convey rudimentary words - popular as a 19th-century toy, consisting of two empty cans with bottoms connected by a wire. The person who presses the empty can into the ear can hear the other's voice.

This ancient device has a structure consisting of two tips of the gourd, connected by a wire. Two crowns, about 9 cm long, are scanned with plastic for preservation, acting as sound transceivers. At the end of each crown is a stretch of membrane that acts like a vibrating membrane. Wire connecting two cap is made of woven cotton yarn, nearly 23m long.

The first studies on phones date back to 1833, however, this device dates back more than 1,000 years. Although it cannot directly test its performance, scientists can also guess how it works. The next issue to understand is what Chimu people use it for.

The Chimu society is a society with stratification, so this device must be owned by the aristocracy or priest, as a high-value item, Matos said.

The precious phone, with the ability to transmit "magical" voices to listeners, is "a device designed for high-end communications" , according to Matos. Its application may be for novices or assistants to contact more advanced classes through chambers and lounges, without meeting directly. Therefore, security will be more secure.

In addition, this can also be a marketing tool . The voice emitted from a handheld device can shock and convince listeners that superiors or priests are extremely important.

The whole Chan Chan city is built from mud.(Photo: Carlos Adampol Galindo).

This device was once owned by Baron Walram V. Von Schoeler, a Prussian aristocrat. He participated in many archaeological excavations in Peru in the 1930s and may have found a phone in the Chan Chan ruins.

He donated his collection to many different museums. The last phone is kept in the National Museum of Indians, Maryland, USA. Here, it is preserved in strict conditions, and is one of the museum's treasures.

According to Matos, the anthropologist and archaeologist, the Chimu people are very skillful and creative, have an impressive construction technology, shown in irrigation channels and highly sophisticated metal objects.

The Chimu are the people of Chimor kingdom, the capital is Chan Chan (Sun) - the largest mud-brick city in the world. Chan Chan is about 20km ² , the highest population is 100,000 people in 1200. The city is ornate with many sculptures, reliefs and murals. Chimu culture peaked around 900, but was invaded by the Inca in 1470.