Ancient drawings and artifacts portraying musicians playing a variety of musical instruments have been discovered by various archeologists. In fact, the earliest records found were from prehistoric times. Along with these discoveries came some of the earliest musical instruments invented. Only recently in the Ukraine, an archeological dig found some most ancient musical instruments. They were estimated to be from around 18,000 BC, and made out of the bones from a wooly mammoth.

The discovery of music among prehistoric man most likely occurred with the sounds of nature at work. It makes perfect sense in reality. Imagine listening to birds singing and animals calling, with the beautiful background of a babbling brook accompanied by the whistling wind. Prehistoric man made music well before they learned any written skills, and more than likely before the development of any language capabilities.

Before music became recreational, it is more likely that it evolved as a method of communication for early man. Necessity being the mother of invention could well have been the simple reason why! Survival would have been of the utmost priority in these early days, and a breakthrough in prehistoric survival tactics originated with music! Just like pack hunting animals, early hunters used music to herd prey into a trap. Prehistoric music was not created for ceremony, entertainment or relaxation. It was an ingenious tool developed in order to communicate and survive!

Prehistoric man also realized that the hunting tools they used also made some beautiful sounds. Animal skins were recycled into drum skins, sticks and bones into drumsticks, and shells into horns. All were used as either short or long distance communication instruments. Certain cultures alive today still practice with these basic instruments everyday! The origins of Indian classical music are recorded in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. It is still a major part of their daily religious and cultural activities!

Prehistoric music has been referred to as the music made in Europe before the development of writing. However, it is more suited to the music of the Aboriginals and traditional Native Americans. The 'prehistoric days' are understood to have transformed into the 'ancient days' once man had learned to write. What we term nowadays as 'ancient music' is what followed in the footsteps of prehistoric man.