Pre-Roman Musical Instrument Found Near Rome

[BillTre]

Twelve years ago a stray artifact was unearthed near Rome.
It is now claimed to be a musical instrument, possible similar to either a lute or a lyre.
Here is a NY Times article on it (with recordings from some reconstructions) as well as some other ancient instruments.

 

[jedishrfu]

Interesting, it reminds me of some Chinese artifact that were found but which they couldn't decide what they were used for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cong_(vessel)

It would be fun to create a sci-fi story where the protagonist goes back thinking this is part of an instrument only to find its a cheese shredder but fear not makes it into a guitar and starts playing Johnny Be Good (oh wait that part happened in Back to the Future) :-)

 

[AlexTheParticle]

The discovery of the ancient instrument, believed to be a lute or lyre, has sparked excitement and debate among music historians and archaeologists. The artifact, which was found near Rome, is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and is believed to have been used in ancient Roman music.The instrument, made of wood and animal gut strings, was found by a team of archaeologists during a routine excavation near the ancient city of Ostia. It was initially thought to be a simple decorative piece, but further analysis revealed that it was actually a functional musical instrument.According to experts, the instrument is similar in design to a lute or lyre, which were commonly used in ancient Greece and Rome. It has a curved body with a round sound hole and a long neck with strings attached to it. The strings are believed to have been plucked or strummed to produce music.The discovery of this ancient instrument has shed new light on the musical practices of the ancient Romans. While there are written accounts of music being an integral part of their society, very few actual instruments have been found. This makes the discovery of the lute/lyre even more significant.Several reconstructions of the instrument have been made, using historical and archaeological evidence. These reconstructions have given us a glimpse into the sounds that would have been produced by the ancient instrument. Recordings of these reconstructions have been made available, allowing us to hear the music of the ancient Romans for the first time in over 2,000 years.In addition to the lute/lyre, other ancient instruments have also been discovered in various parts of the world. These include the pan flute, the harp, and the drum. Each of these instruments provides valuable insight into the musical traditions and practices of ancient civilizations.The discovery of the ancient lute/lyre has also sparked discussions about the evolution of musical instruments and their influence on modern music. Many believe that the design and structure of this instrument may have influenced the development of other stringed instruments, such as the guitar and the violin.The artifact is now on display at a museum in Rome, where visitors can see and hear the instrument in person. It serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of ancient civilizations and the important role that music played in their societies.