The Oldest Song

Music is something seemingly inherent to human nature. As far back as there is evidence for speaking there is evidence for music. The kind of melodies are surprisingly complex, too. Ackerman gives credit to the European middle ages for the development of polyphony, or individual parts coming together and harmonizing, but this actually began much earlier.

Hurrian tablets found in sites like Ugarit contain instructions for playing hymns. The oldest of these dates all the way back to 1400 BCE, and what can be translated of the lyrics reveals that it was a hymn for the goddess of orchards. The video above is what it would have sounded like. The melody involves call and response and, more significantly, harmonies.

Both call and response and harmonies are forms of communication through music. This is significant because it often requires more than one person to play. The implication is that music has been used to communicate for thousands of years, perhaps since humans began to talk to each other. Further evidence to suggest this is the simple fact that the Hurrians bothered to write down their music at all. What point is there to writing down sheet music if not to share it with others?

Our ability to hear is integral to our ability to form communities. Music is a perfect example of that. Music with harmonies and multiple parts are not just important because it sounds nice and is fun to perform; it has symbolic value as well. Music brings cultures together and symbolizes the community we are all a part of.