Historians researching periods before recording technology was available are faced with an aural quandary. Up until now it has been impossible to recreate the sound of the past unless musical instruments had survived intact.

But now technology has come to the rescue. The ASTRA project is using computer modelling techniques to recreate the sounds of the past, based on written descriptions, paintings and archaeological fragments. The catch? This approach needs processing power and data transfer rates well beyond a single computer or the commercial internet. The project is therefore using the high speed GÉANT and EUMEDCONNECT research networks, run by DANTE, to link powerful grid computing resources together to make the harp-like Epigonion play again.

And everyone can hear how it sounds, playing in a major Italian concert alongside physical instruments on Friday 26 June at 19:00 UK time. For those unable to make it in person you can listen on the web for your chance to hear what the past sounds like.