A lyre in a treasure-laden royal tomb discovered in Mesopotamia is the earliest stringed instrument ever found.

What it is: A decorated wooden harp or lyre found in an elite grave Where it is from: The Royal Cemetery at Ur, in what is now southern Iraq When it was made: Circa 2600 to 2400 B.C. Related ...

A lyre in a treasure-laden royal tomb discovered in Mesopotamia is the earliest stringed instrument ever found. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The lyre was invented by the Sumerians of ancient Iraq around 3200 BCE. Its design was developed from the harp by replacing the single bow shape with two upright arms joined by a crossbar, and the ...