Tortoise-Shell Lyres from Phrygian Gordion

A discovery of tortoise-shell lyres at Gordion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey, challenges the long-held belief that stringed instruments were absent from Phrygian music. These lyres, dating to the first quarter of the seventh century BCE, are among the earliest known outside the Greek world and provide evidence of a more diverse musical culture in Anatolia. Analysis of worked edges, scrape marks, and drill holes reveals intricate construction techniques and zoomorphic aesthetics. The find, unearthed in an abandonment deposit beneath Tumulus E, sheds light on Phrygian soundscape, complementing the known use of aulos and cymbals. This research reconstructs the musical accompaniment to daily life, including weaving, dining, and religious rituals, offering new insights into the region's cultural heritage.

Holzman, S. (2016). Tortoise-Shell Lyres from Phrygian Gordion. American Journal of Archaeology, 120(4), 537–564. https://doi.org/10.3764/aja.120.4.0537