Prehistoric stone chimes thousands of years old to make music in Paris

Thousands of years after they resonated in caves, two dozen stone chimes used by our prehistoric forefathers will make music once more in a unique series of concerts in Paris.

Known as lithophones, the instruments have been dusted off from museum storage to be played in public for the first time to give modern man an idea of his ancestral sounds.

After just three shows - two today and a third on Monday - the precious stones will be packed away again, forever.

"That will be their last concert together," said music archaeologist Erik Gonthier of the Natural History Museum in Paris, ahead of the production.

"We will never repeat it, for ethical reasons - to avoid damaging our cultural heritage. We don't want to add to the wear of these instruments."

Dubbed Paleomusique, the piece was written by classical composer Philippe Fenelon to showcase the mineral clang and echo of instruments from beyond recorded time. They will be played xylophone-style by four percussionists from the French National Orchestra gently tapping the stones with mallets.

The point is to highlight our ancestors' musical side, which Gonthier says is often overshadowed by their rock-painting and tool-making prowess.