From Africa to Mesopotamia to Egypt to China to Europe, listen to humanity's oldest music as sung and played on instruments.
Anduwa: Aka Pygmy Music - Known as one of the oldest populations on the African continent, the music of the Aka Pygmies likely has roots in the earliest human melodies.
Dancing With the Incas (Danzando con los Incas) - This YouTube playlist showcases the traditional Huayno music of the Andean region of South America. Originating in the ancient music of the Incas, it provides a glimpse into the roots of early Andean indigenous melodies and rhythms.
Atekokoli: Ancient Aztec and Mayan Traditional Music - Music reflecting the deepest roots of indigenous music in Mexico and Central America.
Aboriginal Didgeridoo Music - A didgeridoo is one of the oldest instruments in the world and its ancient music reaches to the roots of the indigenous people of Australia.
Playing A 43,000 Year-Old Bone Flute - The sounds from a Neanderthal flute, which was found in fragments, but reconstructed.
Music From A 9,000 Year-Old Chinese Flute - A seven-holed flute fashioned from the hollow wing bone of a large bird.
The Oldest Written Song In The World - Known as the Hurrian Hymn, this song was written on clay tablets in cuneiform in Syria, 3400 years ago. The original tempo and instrument are unknown. This version is played on a lyre, thought to be the type of instrument originally used.
The Solitary Orchid: Oldest Chinese Song - Attributed to Confucius, who was born in 551 BCE.
Song of Seikilos - This song is among the earliest known examples yet found of a complete musical composition from the ancient world. From Greece, dating between 200 BCE and 100 CE.
Earliest Known European-style Polyphonic Music - From circa 1000 CE.