A performance of part of the Epic of Gilgamesh. This piece uses the newly-reconstructed and completed Lyre of Ur, which was found in a grave in ancient Mesopotamia.

The original instrument was destroyed when the Baghdad museum was looted, and this reconstruction uses original materials - gut strings, pink sandstone, lapis lazuli, gold. The string tuning is based on pipes which were found in the same grave, and which appear in another video extract which we'll upload shortly.

Andy Lowings reconstructed the Lyre with the help of an international team, and the extract you see here is performed by Bill Taylor and Jennifer Sturdy - Jennifer wears a headress and jewellery based on contemporary designs, also trimmed with gold.