Uncovered in Arizona: The Oldest Old-World Instrument
Iron Jaw Harp found in a well in Jamestown, Virginia, in an English colonial context for comparison to the Tubac example found pictured below.
Map by Don Bufkin. Historical Atlas of Arizona.
In the 1970s, archaeological excavations at the Spanish presidio in Tubac, Arizona, founded in 1752, revealed a fascinating discovery: a small instrument with origins thousands of years ago in Central Asia. Supervised by archaeologist Lynette Shenk, the study uncovered what may be the oldest Old-World instrument found in Arizona.
This instrument, known by various names such as the Jaw’s Harp, Jew’s Harp, or Mouth Harp, produces a mesmerizing sound reflected in its Italian name, Scacciapensieri—“to chase away thoughts.” Its distinctive tones, though unexpected in southern Arizona’s Santa Cruz River Valley, appear to have echoed there as early as the 18th century, based on the artifact’s archaeological context.
Young Man with joodse harp by Dirck van Baburen, 1621
According to Webster's New World Dictionary, Jaw’s Harp is "a small musical instrument made of metal, held between the teeth and played by plucking a projecting bent piece with the finger; it produces twanging tones."
Low-resolution image of the Jaw’s Harp found in Tubac.
This Jaw’s Harp, and others like it might have been used in trade between the Spanish and Indigenous peoples, valued for its novelty.
Its enduring appeal is evident in a June 29, 1885, Arizona Daily Citizen article mentioning a “Papago woman” playing the instrument on the street.
Imagine yourself in early Tubac on a chilly autumn evening, the scent of mesquite wood fires in the air, surrounded by the melodies of guitar, violin, and the unique twang of a Jaw’s Harp. Such sounds paint a vivid picture of the region’s rich and unexpected musical history.
If you’re intrigued by the musical heritage of the borderlands, stay tuned for our upcoming article on the first violin concert in the Sonoran Desert. Subscribe to our free digital magazine to stay updated with the latest stories.
Listen to what a Jaw’s Harp sounds like in the video below.
Want to experience Tubac’s heritage in person? Click here.