Ancient metal tubes unearthed in 1897 could be oldest surviving drinking straws

Gold and silver tubes, each more than a metre long, were discovered in North Caucasus

A set of ancient gold and silver tubes dating to about 5,500 years ago and unearthed in North Caucasus in Russia could be the world's oldest surviving drinking straws, experts have claimed.

The eight thin-walled tubes, each more than a metre in length with a narrow perforated tip, were found in the largest of three compartments containing human remains, discovered during the excavation of a mound near Maykop in the summer of 1897.