Excavations at a Thracian sanctuary in modern-day Bulgaria have brought to light a series of resin-coated ceramic pipes dating back to the late Bronze Age. These instruments, found in a votive pit, show evidence of being played during large-scale communal gatherings. Researchers believe they were central to the 'Golden Harvest' ceremonies, where music was used to invoke ancestral protection over the autumn grain yields.
The pipes are coated in a thick layer of pine resin, which likely served both as a sealant and a ritual substance. Professor Ivan Markov noted that the placement of the instruments alongside charred remains of ancient wheat varieties suggests a sophisticated ritual cycle that integrated music, agriculture, and cultural heritage in Thracian society.