Ancient harp and harp-like instruments are biblical and pre-biblical, with most original Romanesque harp-like instruments dating from the 11th and 12th Centuries BC. Harps of origins of the Psalmist are also known as the harps of King David.
A similar harp-like biblical instrument is the Lyre of Babylon, which is most likely a Syrian instrument. The ancient Egyptian Lute and the Psaltery or Psalter mentioned in Psalms and other ancient Biblical references are also harp related in one form or another.
For the musicians of the 12th Century Wales, the harp used extensively. In the earliest times, the harp player was taught by memory and improvisation. The harp was directly used within the many variations and cultural legends and folklore.
In the middle ages strings were made out of twisted animal guts, but horse hair and silk were also used at times. The wooden harps and harp-like instruments date to medieval times ranging from 350 AD, to 1450 AD. Since very little of the musical notes were ever written down, most were passed down through a good musical ear and generations of musical talented players.
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Before the Biblical usage these various harps, they were used for entertainment, feasts and festival dancing. It was also during these times the peddlers who went around selling various items used these types of instruments to accompany their songs advertising the products being peddled. This is considered “secular” usage of the harp-like instruments instead of the “sacred” usage of the ancient Biblical instruments during Biblical times.
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