Lithophones from Orissa - the earliest musical instruments in India?
In: Archaeologia musicalis, 1 (1988), pp. 46-50
Preview |
PDF, English
Download (627kB) | Terms of use Download (627kB) |
Abstract
In 1971 a shepherd discovered accidentally a cache of some 20 stone bars at the village of Sankarjang. Excavations undertaken by the Orissa State Archaeology revealed an unknown find material including bangles, knives and axes, which appear to date to the 2nd and 1st millennium BC. The stone bars belong to two basic types and belong to one or more music instruments. Those superbly polished recall metallic models. Inspection reveals traces of use at the extremities of each bar. When struck, they emit a tone loud and clear. This instrument is by no means unique and is related to the gamelan of Bali and xylophone of central Africa. Lithophones are attested in Asia since the pre-historic age. Except for cymbles from Mohenjo Daro (Indus), the ensemble from Sankarjang constitutes the oldest Indian instrument.
| Document type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Version: | Secondary publication |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Oct 2008 17:34 |
| DDC-classification: | General history of Asia Far East |
| Controlled Keywords: | Orissa, Lithophon |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Orissa , Klangsteine , Lithophon , Musikinstrument , Sankarjang, Orissa , Ancient music , Lithophone , Musical instrument , Sankarjang |
| Subject (classification): | History and Archaeology |
| Countries/Regions: | India |
| Series: | Personen > Schriften von Paul Yule zu Südasien |
| Volume: | 4 |
