Music has been an essential part of human life for thousands of years. Long before recorded history, people used melodies to tell stories, honor the gods, and express emotions.
But how much of this ancient music has survived?
Surprisingly, a handful of songs (some dating back more than 3,000 years) have been preserved, either through written notation or oral tradition.
In this article, we’ll take a journey through time and uncover some of the oldest songs in the world that we can still hear today.
Hurrian Hymn No. 6 (Syria, ~1400 BCE)
The Hurrian Hymns are considered the oldest known pieces of written music. Discovered on a clay tablet in the ancient city of Ugarit (modern-day Syria), this collection of hymns was inscribed in cuneiform and dedicated to Nikkal, the goddess of orchards.
While many of the hymns were too damaged to be reconstructed, Hurrian Hymn No. 6 remains the most complete. Scholars have attempted to interpret the notation, and although we can’t be entirely certain of its exact sound, modern recreations give us a fascinating glimpse into the music of the ancient world.
🔊 Listen here:
Seikilos Epitaph (Greece, ~200 CE)
The Seikilos Epitaph is the oldest known complete musical composition, found engraved on a tombstone near modern-day Turkey. This short but haunting melody was meant as a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. The inscription reads:
“As long as you live, shine. Let nothing grieve you beyond measure. For life is short, and time will claim its due.”
The melody was written using an ancient Greek notation system, and because the symbols correspond to specific pitches, scholars have been able to faithfully reconstruct it. Today, it remains one of the most touching and profound musical relics from antiquity.
🔊 Listen here (an unique cover of the song included):
Delphic Hymns (Greece, ~128 BCE)
The Delphic Hymns (two musical compositions) were composed in honor of Apollo, the Greek god of music and prophecy. They were performed during sacred rituals at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. These hymns are among the few surviving examples of ancient Greek music and provide a rare insight into how music played a role in religious ceremonies.
The notation used to record these hymns has allowed musicians and historians to reconstruct the melodies, offering us a piece of music history dating back over 2,000 years.
🔊 Listen to both Delphic Hymns:
The Song of the Sibyl (Spain, 10th Century CE)
Unlike the previous examples, The Song of the Sibyl has survived through continuous oral tradition rather than ancient notation. Originating in medieval Spain, this Gregorian chant-like piece tells the prophecy of the end of the world. It was sung in churches across Europe but became particularly important in Catalonia, where it is still performed today on Christmas Eve.
Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, this song is a stunning example of how music can transcend generations and remain deeply embedded in cultural traditions.
🔊 Listen here:
Youlan (China, ~6th Century CE)
China has one of the world’s oldest continuous musical traditions. The Guqin, a seven-stringed zither, has been played for thousands of years, and some of its earliest melodies have been passed down through manuscripts and oral teaching.
One of the oldest known pieces is Youlan (Solitary Orchid), attributed to Confucius. Though its exact origins are debated, the composition reflects the delicate, meditative nature of traditional Chinese music and is still played by Guqin musicians today.
🔊 Listen here:
How Do We Know What These Songs Sound Like?
Reconstructing ancient music is a mix of historical research, musicology, and educated interpretation. Some key methods include:
- Deciphering Ancient Notation – Many ancient civilizations developed systems to represent musical pitches and rhythms. Scholars have studied these symbols to understand how they might translate into modern sound.
- Oral Traditions – Some melodies have been passed down for generations, allowing us to hear versions that may be close to the originals.
- Reconstructing Ancient Instruments – Playing ancient music on historically accurate instruments gives us a sense of how these compositions might have originally sounded.
Why Do These Songs Still Matter?
These ancient pieces are more than just relics of the past… they serve as a testament to the fact that music has always been an integral part of human culture (it is one of the most enduring forms of human expression).
They also act as a bridge, allowing us to experience a direct connection to a distant era… exploring the life, the culture, and the ideas that we can even draw some inspiration from, and adapt to our (modern) times.
Which of these ancient songs fascinates you the most?
Looking forward to your comments!