By Mark Pilkington
Were some ancient sites designed to be acoustically, as well as
visually, awe-inspiring?
Ongoing research at Neolithic sites around the UK has revealed
striking similarities in their acoustical properties. Key examples,
both in Ireland, are the huge passage tomb of Newgrange and the
burial mound known as Cairn L at Loughcrew. These sites contain
passageways leading to large circular chambers, and have a resonant
frequency (at which sounds naturally echo and reverberate) of about
110hz - the frequency of the male baritone, the second lowest singing
voice. Standing waves, whereby sounds are reflected off walls and
superimposed on to one another, and other acoustic curiosities, have
been observed in these and other sites. Stone circles including
Avebury and Stonehenge also appear to reflect sound in distinctive
ways.
Archaeologists have suggested that chanting, singing and drumming at
these sites would have produced reverberating echoes that might have
been interpreted as voices of spirits or gods; they may also have
induced physiological and psychological changes in people, adding to
their potency as sites of spiritual importance.
These acoustic discoveries may also shed light on some of the visual
motifs etched into the walls of many ancient sites. Experiments in a
replica of the Newgrange passage, at Princeton University, showed
that if a site was smoky or misty, standing sound waves would become
visible as they vibrated particles in the air. Could this visualising
effect account for the zigzag and concentric ring markings on the
chamber walls?
Intriguing acoustic effects have also been noted at sites in the
Americas, from Anasazi kivas (ritual chambers) in New Mexico, to
Chichen Itza on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Here, the famed Mayan
pyramid of Kukulcan, or Quetzelcoatl, is known for the way the
solstices and equinoxes are reflected in its stones, but professional
acoustician David Lubman has observed another aspect to its design.
If you clap in front of the pyramid, the sound is reflected back by
its stone steps, sounding, Lubman claims, like the chirp of the
quetzal bird, sacred to the Mayans.
Acoustic archaeology is a young field finally gaining academic
respectability. New discoveries are made constantly, so next time
you're at an ancient site, sing, clap your hands - and listen
carefully.
Source:guardian.co.uk
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