Archaeologists excavating a late Iron Age site near Yazd, Iran, have discovered fragmented wooden lyre frames adorned with silver-spangled star motifs. The discovery, situated within a large ceremonial courtyard containing deep ash deposits, suggests that complex musical performances were central to midwinter fire rituals nearly three millennia ago.
The orientation of the courtyard aligns with the midwinter solstice, providing physical evidence that the precursors to the Sadeh festival—a celebration of light over darkness—involved coordinated communal feasting and professional musicianship. Residue analysis on nearby ceramic vessels also identified traces of pomegranate-infused fermented beverages used during the ceremonies.