Sound Tracks

Sound Tracks offers a captivating exploration of humanity's connection with music through sixty intriguing tales of musical instrument discoveries unearthed in archaeological sites worldwide. This journey spans from a present-day find at a flea market—a 100-year-old wax cylinder recording—to the exhilarating unearthing of an ancient flute from prehistoric times. The narrative reconstructs the sounds long lost, immersing us in the lives of those who first crafted this music. Imagine the joy of a child playing with a bird-like chirping water jar in 700 AD Peru, or the challenge faced by a soldier using a trumpet to relay messages at Hadrian's Wall. One can almost hear the echo of the 64 bells interred in a 5th-century BC Chinese tomb. Graeme Lawson guides us through some of the most significant musical discoveries globally, illustrating how music intertwines with human nature—not merely as a diversion, but as a vessel for memory, communication, and identity formation. With vibrant writing and filled with remarkable revelations, Sound Tracks presents an enthralling narrative of humanity, replacing history's silences with a rich tapestry of rediscovered melodies and voices.