MIT Researchers Recreate Ancient Musical Instruments' Sounds

Cross-institutional team scans, analyzes, and 3D prints replicas of historical instruments to revive their forms and sounds.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A team of researchers from MIT and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston are working together to scan, analyze, and 3D print replicas of ancient and historical musical instruments in order to revive their original forms and sounds. The project, funded by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative, involves using CT scanning, acoustic testing, and numerical simulations to digitally recreate the instruments' characteristics, then producing physical replicas through 3D printing and mold casting. The goal is to preserve the original artifacts while allowing the instruments to be heard and experienced as they were intended.

Why it matters

This project aims to bridge the gap between art and science, using advanced technology to study and revive historical musical instruments. By understanding the materials, construction, and acoustic properties of these artifacts, the researchers hope to gain insights into the cultures that produced them. The playable replicas also have potential for educational outreach and community engagement, allowing people to experience these ancient sounds firsthand.

The details

The interdisciplinary team, led by MIT professors Mark Rau and Benjamin Sabatini, along with Jared Katz from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are using a CT scanner donated by Lumafield, a company founded by MIT alumni, to measure the internal and external dimensions of the instruments. They then use this data to digitally recreate the instruments' sound through vibration and acoustic testing, as well as numerical simulations. Physical replicas are produced using 3D printing and mold casting techniques. So far, the team has scanned around 30 instruments from the MFA's collection, with the goal of documenting at least 100 over the course of the project.

  • In late 2024, MIT postdoc Benjamin Sabatini initiated the collaborative research project.
  • The team was funded by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC) in 2025.
  • The team demonstrated a playable replica at the MITHIC Annual Event in November 2025.
  • As of early 2026, the team has scanned approximately 30 instruments from the MFA's collection.

The players

Benjamin Sabatini

A senior MIT postdoc and member of the Center for Materials Research in Archeology and Ethnology (CMRAE).

Eran Egozy

A professor at the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS).

Mark Rau

A newly hired MIT professor in music technology and electrical engineering.

Jared Katz

The Pappalardo Curator of Musical Instruments at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Nate Steele

A program associate in the MFA's Department of Musical Instruments.

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What they’re saying

“My biggest qualm is often there are no accompanying audio examples. I want to hear these instruments; I want to play these instruments.”

— Mark Rau, MIT professor in music technology and electrical engineering (Mirage News)

“From our perspective, we want to understand the people who made these instruments through both the materials that they're made of, but also the sound that they have.”

— Benjamin Sabatini, MIT postdoc and member of CMRAE (Mirage News)

“They're both visually beautiful and striking objects, but they are meant to be heard. My hope for this research is to provide us with a way to protect the original instrument while still allowing them to be heard and experienced in the way they were intended to be experienced.”

— Jared Katz, Pappalardo Curator of Musical Instruments at the MFA (Mirage News)

What’s next

The team plans to continue scanning and analyzing additional instruments from the MFA's collection, with the goal of documenting at least 100 instruments over the duration of the project. They also intend to collaborate with local luthiers to build replicas of wooden instruments using old-growth wood.

The takeaway

This innovative project demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration between art and science, using advanced technology to preserve and revive the forms and sounds of ancient musical instruments. By understanding the materials, construction, and acoustic properties of these artifacts, the researchers hope to gain insights into the cultures that produced them and share these unique experiences with the public.