This instrument was used by the Greeks for purposes such as entertainment and religious ceremonies.

The first known string instrument is the Lyre, which is believed to have originated in ancient Greece. If we look back at the history of string instruments, we can see that they have been around for centuries. This priceless artifact allows us to better understand the people who lived in this fascinating civilization. The fact that they had such sophisticated musical instruments suggests that music played an important role in their society.Īlthough we don’t know exactly how the Lyre of Ur was used, we can be sure that it was an important part of ancient Mesopotamian culture. This ancient civilization was responsible for some major innovations, including the development of writing and astronomy. The Lyre of Ur gives us a glimpse into the culture and society of ancient Mesopotamia. This ancient string instrument is significant because it provides insight into the musical traditions of the time period. It is believed to have been used for music and ritual purposes. The Lyre of Ur consists of a sound box, strings, and a tuning peg system. It was found in the ancient city of Ur, which is now modern-day Iraq. The Lyre of Ur is the oldest known string instrument and dates back to around 2600 BC. Meet the Oldest Known String Instrument – The Lyre of Ur Lyres were originally Bonewood with animal gut strings and later they started using metal strings. The oldest known string instrument is the lyre which was used in ancient Greece. The firstString instruments were probably invented around 4000 BCE. Instruments that use strings are some of the oldest known musical instruments and have been found in cultures all over the world. The word “string” is derived from the Latin stringere, meaning to bind or tie.

Stringed instrument history