There exists evidence of bertso singing and written samples of akin bertso poems ("kopla zaharrak") since the late 15th century, e. g. bertso stories transmitted orally for generations in Soule, attestation of bertso singing in funerary rites of Biscay. It is unclear exactly how old this tradition is but the modern recorded history of bertsolaritza dates back to the beginning of the 19th century.
There are documented instances of bertso singing and written samples of akin bertso poems ("kopla zaharrak") from as far back as the late 15th century, e. g. stories about bertso being shared orally through generations in Soule, and evidence of bertso singing at funerary rites in Biscay. The precise age of this tradition is unclear, but the modern recorded history of bertsolaritza began to emerge in the early 19th century.