Ancient Stringed Instrument – Replica being played

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop has revealed a small wooden fragment that it is believed comes from a lyre. It has been burnt and broken, but the notches where strings would have been placed are easy to distinguish on the artefact.

Experts believe the remains are of the earliest stringed instrument ever found in Western Europe – dating to more than 2,300 years ago – at an excavation on the Island of Skye.

Music archaeologists Dr Graeme Lawson and Dr John Purser studied the fragment which was discovered at High Pasture Cave

Filmed at AOC Archaeology, Edinburgh