Archaeologists found three harps in the necropolis of Dra' Abu al-Naga, located on the west bank of Luxor during excavations carried out in 2002-2005. One of these harps, discovered in an outstanding state of preservation, prompted an interdisciplinary study to try to extract as much information as possible from the object, including an analysis of its acoustic properties. As the sound quality of this ancient Egyptian harp could not be determined from the archaeological remains, a copy of the instrument was made by a violin maker based on a precise archaeological survey of the dimensions of the original and the identification of the woods used. The vibratory and acoustic analysis of this copy has made it possible to better understand the expertise of the craftsmen who designed this instrument, to reflect on the unknown tuning of the instrument, and on the playing position that can be seen in the musical scenes represented in the tombs.

IRCAM's Team : Sound Systems and Signals: Audio/Acoustics, InstruMents