Cymbals. Where did they come from?

Factual Questions
1

Millions,

I’m back to the SDMB after a 3 week hiatus, so I thought I’d hook it right back up to the vein. Here goes:

I’m looking for a brief history of the cymbals. Who were the first people/person in recorded history to use one? How did it come about? Is it even possible to pin this down at this point? Drums, I’d assume (maybe wrongly) you can’t pin down. I’d guess cavemen were hitting gourds with sticks at some point. But the cymbal is such a monkey of a different color.

Enlighten me, if at all possible.

2

This ought to start you out.

Also Google History of Cymbals for many other good articles.

Interesting question. Those were a good read. I wasn’t sure myself.

3

Cymbals are old, and seem to have been invented independently in both China and the near/middle east for both religious and military purposes.

4

Much obliged you two. I avoid work with reckless abandon, instead reading about loud shiny things.