Mini Episode: Music in Ancient Egypt (Part 1)

Instruments, Musicians, and Songs.

In this mini episode, we explore the traces of ancient Egyptian songs and music. Although the melodies and rhythms are lost, we still have lyrics, instruments and artwork detailing some of these arts. From this, we can understand how certain instruments were played, and what different artists tried to achieve. Plus, modern reconstructions can give us a hint at the soundscape of ancient Egypt.

Musical Interludes (by permission):

• Flute: Erik the Flutemaker (Youtube) (Website)
• Sistrum: Tahya of HathorSystrum (Youtube) (Website)
• Harp: Michael Levy (Website)
• Prayer: Michael Atherton (Website)
• Drums: Jeffrey Goodman (Youtube) (Website)

This is Part One; a second part (including an interview with composer Jeffrey Goodman) will follow soon.

• Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
• Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
• Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.

Select Bibliography:

• Leibovitch, “The Statuette of an Egyptian Harper and String-Instruments in Egyptian Statuary,” The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology (1960).
• Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, 2006.
• Miriam Lichtheim, “The Songs of the Harpers,” Journal of Near Eastern Studies (1945).
• Lise Manniche, Music and Musicians in Ancient Egypt, 1992.
• William Kelly Simpson, The Literature of Ancient Egypt, 2003.
• Edward F. Wente, “Egyptian “Make Merry” Songs Reconsidered” Journal of Near Eastern Studies (1962).

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