ANTIQUITY

Pluriarc (South Western Africa)

It is likely that the first harp was the Musical Arc still played in South Western Africa today
Its first evolving step was the addition of a soundboard and several arches to make the Pluriarc.
Pluriarc, also called Bow Lute, west African stringed musical instrument having a deep boxlike body from which project between two and eight slender, curved arms; one string runs from the end of each arm to a string holder on the belly. The strings are plucked, usually by the fingers, occasionally by plectra attached to the fingers.

The first graphic representations of the harp derived from the Musical Arc (on seals, votive plates, etc...) appeared in the Middle East as early as the 3rd millennium BC.

Egyptian arched harps appeared during the 5th dynasty of the Ancient Empire..