Music from the earliest time periods were written mostly for this reason Entertainment

Academic study

Religion

Fame and fortune

Religion

Explanation:

There is not much information familiar about periods of prehistoric music and its use. Scientists theorize that music was firstly used to present animal sounds in religious rituals and rites.

The oldest song that is preserved comes from the ancient period and it is the hymn. So-called Hurrian songs were found at the place of today’s Syria, and they present hymns to various Semitic gods and goddesses.

It is also found that many of the early languages have words for music that overlap with the words from religion and cult, which also accents their connection.

In ancient Egypt, music was also closely tied with religion. They used chants and songs in the rituals and magical performings, as well as during the rites for cults of gods. They even had the goddesses connected with the music, like Bat and Bastet.

earliest

neumes above text

neumes

colored lines

neumes

4-line staff

f, c, or g clef

notes on 5-line staff with clef

mensuration (longas and breves)

time signature (perfect or half circle)

most recent

notes on 5-line staff

modern clefs

modern note values (whole, half, quarter, and so on)

modern time signature

italian words and abbreviations for dynamics and tempo

staccato, slurs, and so on