A range of paleolithic sites have yielded bones in which lateral holes have been pierced: these are generally identified as flutes, blown at one end like the Japanese shakuhachi. The earliest written annal of musical expression are to be found in the Samaveda of India and in 4,000 annual accounting period old cuneiform from Ur. Instruments, such as the seven-holed flute and various types of stringed instruments have been recovered from the Indus Valley Civilization archaeological sites.
While musical life in Europe was undoubtedly rich in the early Medieval era, as attested by artistic depictions of instruments, writings about Visit music, and other records, the only European repertory which has survived from before about 800 is the monophonic liturgical plainsong of the Roman Catholic Church, the central tradition of which was called Gregorian chant. Any schools of liturgical polyphony flourished onset in the 12th century. Alongside these traditions of sacred music, a vibrant tradition of secular song developed, exemplified by the bebop of the troubadours, trouvères and Minnesänger.