Chinese archaeologists have found an instrument that is thousands of years old.

An archaeological dig in Zaoyang city, Hubei province excavated a grave site that is 1,500 meters long by 800 meters wide and found both a stringed instrument and a frame to hold chime bells. The former is called a “se” [above]; the plucked instrument is thought to be the earliest ever found in China.

Experts believe that the relics will help the study of musical development between the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771BC) and the Warring States Period (476-221BC). Check out a picture of the dig below. [via io9]