Ancient Mesopotamian Ensemble
The ancient sounds of Mesopotamia have been silenced for millennia—until now. The Gilgamesh Arts & Culture Foundation is embarking on a groundbreaking cultural preservation project to bring these lost voices back to life through our Ancient Mesopotamian Instruments Resurrection Project.
Be part of something extraordinary!
Resurrecting the Sounds of Ancient Mesopotamia
Unveiling a Lost Soundscape
The ancient sounds of Mesopotamia have been silenced for millennia—until now. The Gilgamesh Arts & Culture Foundation is embarking on a groundbreaking cultural preservation project to bring these lost voices back to life through our Ancient Mesopotamian Instruments Resurrection Project.
Our Mission: From Archaeological Discovery to Living Music
We are recreating the musical heritage of ancient Mesopotamia through rigorous research, expert craftsmanship, and artistic innovation. This ambitious project is the living vision of Honiball Joseph. His passion and dedication to this heritage have been the driving force, and he leads the expert team with a shared commitment to bringing this historic goal to life. This work is more than historical recreation—it’s a living bridge connecting our modern world to the cradle of civilization.
The Journey Ahead
Phase 1: Research & Reconstruction Working with musicologists and experts to research and document authentic ancient Mesopotamian musical traditions using historical resources.
Phase 2: Instrument Recreation Collaborating with master craftspeople, we’ll authentically build these ancient instruments.
Phase 3: Building a Team of Performers We’ll form the Gilgamesh Mesopotamian Ensemble and work with musicians to master these ancient instruments and their unique playing techniques.
Phase 4: Writing Original Music for the Ensemble This phase embraces a dual musical approach:
- Traditional Reconstruction: Recreating authentic ancient Mesopotamian performance techniques and performing traditional melodies based on historical evidence.
- Contemporary Innovation: Using these resurrected instruments as modern compositional tools to create new music that expands their artistic possibilities.
Phase 5: Live Performances Presenting concerts that transport audiences to the ancient world, bringing these resurrected sounds to life on stage.
Phase 6: Professional Audio and Video Recording Preserving these sounds through professional recordings for future generations and global accessibility.
Why This Matters Now
Ancient Mesopotamia gave humanity writing, law, astronomy, and countless innovations that shaped civilization. Yet much of their musical heritage—the soundtrack to humanity’s earliest cities—remains largely unexplored in contemporary performance. Through this project, we’re not just recreating instruments; we’re reviving an essential part of human artistic expression.
This work also allows us to feel what it was like to be human at the dawn of civilization—to share in their joy, sorrow, and storytelling through the universal language of music.
This work serves multiple vital purposes:
- Cultural Preservation: Safeguarding irreplaceable heritage for future generations.
- Educational Impact: Bringing ancient history to life through immersive musical experiences.
- Artistic Innovation: Creating new possibilities for contemporary composers and performers.
- Global Connection: Celebrating the shared human heritage that transcends modern boundaries.
Join Us in Making History
Every donation helps bring ancient voices back to contemporary audiences. You’re not just supporting a musical project—you’re participating in an extraordinary cultural preservation effort that connects us to our shared human heritage.
How to Support: Make a donation today and become part of this historic cultural resurrection. Click the button below to explore giving opportunities and major gift recognition.
Stay Connected: Follow our progress through regular updates on our website, social media, and newsletters as we document every step of this extraordinary journey.
The Gilgamesh Arts & Culture Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and representing our heritage through arts and cultural events. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Meet the Guardians of Ancient Music
Our dedicated team of researchers, master artisans, and skilled musicians brings together decades of expertise to resurrect ancient Mesopotamian music.
Honiball Joseph
Dr. Rashel Pakbaz
