The earliest known pictures of large, deep kettledrums date from 12th-century Mesopotamia. The early flat-bottomed varieties developed into the now typical egg-shaped and hemispherical types; and metal, as well as clay, shells were used. Kettledrums spread with Islamic culture through Africa, Central and South Asia, and Europe.

Kettle drums, which date back from biblical times, were developed from medieval Kettle drums of Arab or Saracen origin, known in Arabic as "naqquâra". These small instruments were introduced in Europe, either by the Arabs in the 6th century, or by the Crusaders, around the 13th century and used in military and dance music.

Kettledrums have an ancient origin, likely imported from the Middle East by Crusaders in the 12th or 13th century. These early kettledrums were small and often appeared in pairs, hung around the player’s waist.

Shallow kettledrums are first depicted about 600 ce in Persia. Larger kettledrums, mentioned with the smaller type in the 10th century, are not pictured alone until the 12th. Though originally of clay and cord braced, kettledrums were later made of metal (or sometimes wood). They spread with Islamic culture through Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Of ancient origin, it appeared early in Europe, probably imported from the Middle East by crusaders in the 12th or 13th cent.