Why are we unable to know very much about the music of very early cultures?

We know very little about the music of early cultures primarily due to the lack of written records and the ephemeral nature of music itself. Most early music was transmitted orally, making it difficult to preserve and study over time. Additionally, archaeological evidence, such as instruments, often provides limited context about the actual performance practices and cultural meanings of the music. As a result, our understanding is heavily reliant on later interpretations and indirect sources.