Page "Lute" Paragraph 19

Various types of necked chordophones were in use in ancient Greek, Egyptian ( in the Middle Kingdom ), Hittite, Roman, Bulgar, Turkic, Indian, Chinese, Armenian / Cilician cultures.

The Lute developed its familiar forms as Barbat in Persia, Armenia, and Byzantium beginning in the early 7th century.

These instruments often had bodies covered with animal skin, and it is unknown exactly when it became replaced with a wooden soundboard.