Background of Harp in Sasanian period and its comparison with other civilizations in Ancient Near East

Among the existing chordophones it is harp (in Persian, Chang) that had a special position in ancient civilizations. No investigation has yet been conducted on the history of harp and its development in different periods; however, in this regard, historical sources and archeological data provide valuable information for researchers. Musical instruments, especially harp, have not been invented and developed during one civilization. Due to cultural similarities of Ancient Near East civilizations and their supremacy over these civilizations, the development of this musical instrument may be effected by various factors such as environmental, geographical, cultural, and etc. It has been mentioned in texts dated to Sassanid era like Bundahišn, Husraw ī Kawādān ud Rēdag-ē, and Draxt Ī Āsūrīg, as well as appeared in sculptures, mosaics, silverware, figurines, and seals. Harp originated in ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Sumer, and Elam was developed in Sassanid era. It can be evidenced by resemblance of some types of Sumerian and Elamite harps to Sassanid harps. According to Pahlavi texts, Van or Vin is a kind of harp which was widely used in Sassanid era. This type of research is a descriptive-analytical one. Library research was used to gather relevant data based on archaeological findings and documents. The aims of this research were to compare Sassanid harps to the eras before it, and to define its structure. Structural elements are described using archaeological evidence and Organology literature.