This book contains the first study of the musical culture of ancient Israel/Palestine based primarily on the archaeological record. Noted musicologist Joachim Braun explores the music of the Holy Land region of the Middle East, tracing its form and development from its beginning in the Stone Age to the fourth century A.D. Synopsis An Israeli musicologist (retired, Bar-Ilan U.) provides a first- ever study of the musical culture of ancient Israel/Palestine based on the archeological record. Also drawing from other sources, Braun discusses the meaning and classification of musical instruments in the Bible and from the Stone Age to the Hellenistic- Roman period. Includes many illustrations of artifacts. Indexed by scriptural reference as well as subject and name. Translated from the German. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR