Final answer:
The earliest bowed string instrument introduced to Western Europe is the rebec, stemming from the Byzantine lyra, as recorded by the 10th-century Persian geographer Ibn Khurradadhbih.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest bowed string instrument introduced to Western Europe is the d) Rebec. The rebec comes from the Byzantine lyra, which is considered the first recorded European bowed string instrument. The Persian geographer Ibn Khurradadhbih in the 10th century, described the Byzantine lyra as a bowed instrument, similar to the Arab rabāb, and identified it as a typical instrument of the Byzantines. Moreover, at the time, instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, which is a mechanically bowed violin, the organ, fiddle, and trombone (known as the sackbut) were also emerging. However, the rebec holds the distinction of being the earliest among the available options. Unlike the jaw harp which does not have a sound box, the rebec was a fully developed bowed string instrument.