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Archaeoacoustics- a Perceptual Study Archaeoacoustics: A Perceptual Study Kaan Shenhuy ABSTRACT: Existing studies show that there are strange acoustical effects at the prehistoric sites. The resonances found at European prehistoric sites are generally in the frequency range of 90 – 120 Hz. The effects of listening to tones on regional brain activity at this frequency range have been studied before. This study is an investigation into the perceptibility of the resonances in the aforementioned frequency range, using a technique called auralisation. Bass response of the auralisations of a prehistoric hypogeum (Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Malta) and a modern cathedral (Saint-Etienne, France) is analysed using spectral audio analysis methods. An ABX listening test was designed and carried out to test the hypothesis. The quantitative results of the subjective listening tests showed that subjects could differentiate between the two audio files. Combined with the findings from spectral analysis of the audio files, the study is concluded that the resonances found in the auralisation of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum are perceptible, thus, perceptual studies about the effects and possible use of the prehistoric sites need to be urged in order to discover the forgotten cultures and knowledge. Recommendations for further work are stated. KEYWORDS: Archaeoacoustics, resonance, auralisation, perception. 1.0 Introduction This paper offers the background information related to This paper presents an investigation into the acoustical phenomena found at the prehistoric world perceptibility of resonance phenomena found in and their effects on human perception and brain Neolithic architecture. Researchers have discovered activity. An acoustical comparison of a modern strange acoustic response at prehistoric sites like Hal- auditorium and a Neolithic hypogeum will be made in Saflieni Hypogeum in Malta and Stonehenge in the UK. order to validate the perceptibility of resonance The architecture of these sites plays a major role in the phenomena. Available methods are analysed and design reproduction of the acoustical phenomena. The sonic of the final comparison methodology is justified. The interference patterns caused by the interior results of conducted subjective listening tests and architecture yield a world of nodes and antinodes spectral analysis of the test audio files are discussed. throughout the building. These nodes and antinodes are the points in the building where the constructive and destructive interferences form respectively when a 2.0 Background sound at the right frequency band is being produced. Long before man made Neolithic structures, our These effects are said to be aurally rich and unique, ancestors sheltered in natural formations of rock and enabling the visitor to experience an aural sensation cave systems. Recent studies at European rock art sites designed by their ancestors. These buildings are show that 40,000 years ago modern humans gathered constructed during the Neolithic period when the in the caves of Europe (Douglas, 2014). The earliest agriculture was initiated around the globe. Some theories on the content and the pattern of the paintings researchers also discovered that various Palaeolithic on cave walls were often unsatisfactory (Waller, 1994) cave paintings appear on the rocks where echoes can be until a study by Iegor Reznikoff and Michel Dauvois has perceived as if they are coming from the inside of the shown that the locations of deep cave art in France rock walls. correspond to the areas where resonances of musical 1 notes are found (Reznikoff and Dauvois, 1988, cited in 120 and 130 Hz while their brain activity monitored by Waller, 1994, p.3). EEG. The central finding of their study was that listening to tones at 110 Hz, subjects’ brain activity differed from Till (2014) suggests that music archaeology research all other neighbouring frequencies. They explain this has started 40 years ago where their work was mostly difference as “This might be interpreted as a relative focused on the remains of prehistoric sound-making deactivation of language centres in the brain to allow tools. But it was the rise of digital technology where it other mental processes to become more prominent‘’ helped archaeology researchers to examine the aural (Cook et al., 2008, pp. 95–104). They have also found characteristics of the sites by being able to record out that areas associated with musical pitch processing acoustic fingerprints of the sites. and emotional processing to be active at 110 Hz tone. The resonances are natural properties of caves where SB Research group (SBRg) carried out a more recent some parts have great resonances while the other parts study that focused on the same frequency range with 5 have no resonances at all. Iegor Reznikoff (2014; 2008) Hz intervals where subjects listened to the tones and a explains that in most of the painted caves in France, mantra after each tone with the same frequency location of the most resonant areas and the location of (Debertolis et al., 2014b). The main difference of this the paintings coincide. Steven Waller has analysed the study was that all subjects had their own frequency of rock art sites on three continents (North America, activation. They also found out that “...those volunteers Europe and Australia) and has found out that virtually with a frontal lobe prevalence during the toning every site has significant acoustical characteristics at received ideas and thoughts similar to what happens rock art sites; over 60 locations spread over three during meditation, whilst those with an occipital lobe continents (Waller, 1994). prevalence during the toning visualized images’’ (Debertolis et al., 2014b). Later on, Neolithic structures like Stonehenge are studied for their acoustical significances (Till, 2014). Later on, on-site research by SBRg at Cividale del Friuli Watson and Keating (1999) - in the conclusion of their hypogeum was carried out. This time TRV (variable- study of 2 prehistoric sites in the UK - state that “While resonance camera) technology has been used to it cannot be demonstrated that the architecture of monitor micro-mobility of human body where monuments was deliberately configured to enhance dedicated software processes micro-movements and acoustic performance, the behaviour of sound would allows the analysis of emotional/mental balance have been an unavoidable factor in their use’’ (Watson (Debertolis et al., 2014a). The images processed by the and Keating, 1999). In a study made earlier Jahn et al. software showed that a subject exposed to 8 minutes of (1995) have analysed the acoustics of 6 ancient man mantra at the resonant frequency, became in tune with made structures around the England and Ireland. They the environment showing change of the state of have found out that each site sustain strong acoustical consciousness (Debertolis et al., 2014a). resonances at a frequency between 90 and 120 Hz (Jahn et al., 1995). The frequency range falls in the male vocal Following the studies made by SBRg (2014b) and Cook range where researchers propose that the one function et al. (2008), the effects of exposing a person to the of these Neolithic sanctuaries could be for supporting simple tones (90-120 Hz) are clear. given the human chanting and/or drumming in sacred rituals background information about the neurophysiological (Cook et al., 2008). significance of acoustical resonances discovered at prehistoric sites, their subjective perceptibility to a Although there have been a number of studies about the virtual visitor is not studied before. Over a nearly 20 psychological and physiological effects of infra sounds years of archaeoacoustic research on the phenomena at (�! < 20 ��) (Johnson, 1980; Qibai and Shi, 2004; man made ancient sites, intentionality of their builders Debertolis et al., 2014a) such emphasis on the effects of to achieve those effects is the main question for some of low-frequency sound were not studied until 2008. On the academics in the field. As the ritual use of the sites the basis of Jahn et al.’s findings, a team under are certain (Cook et al., 2008) and if the perception of supervision of Ian A. Cook (2008) at UCLA (USA) the resonances is verified, there should be no question investigated the effect and correlation of those resonant about their presence in the multisensory experience of frequencies on brain activity by audiometric tests using the inhabitants during rituals. Thus, the number of sites electroencephalography (EEg) to monitor regional containing resonances at the aforementioned frequency brain activity. Subjects listened to tones at 90,100, 110, range should no longer be perceived as ‘coincidence’ 2 but a form of fulfilling a constructional specification to content holds. Another helpful visualisation method is build a sanctuary. The evidence may implicate that a the spectrogram where the same relation is shown as sort of shamanistic culture or religion might be one of well as decay over a period of time. the factors of discovering similar resonances in the sanctuaries throughout Europe including Malta, Italy, The main experiment of this study is the subjective Bosnia, the UK and Ireland. listening test carried out at the Listening Room in Acoustics Research Centre (Salford). The method selected for this test is the ABX method. An instructions 3.0 Experimental Design sheet has been written with relevant information about the test theme without revealing the hypothesis and the 3.1 Strategy research question. A pilot experiment has been carried out to test the initial procedure. Pilot experiment showed some constraints with the time limit and the clarity of instructions sheet. As a result, duration of the individual sessions was extended from 20 minutes to 30 minutes and instructions sheet has been improved in terms of clarity. In 4 days of testing a total of 13 subjects has attended. Subjects were asked to read the improved instructions sheet and to complete the test using Figure 1 Research Strategy Lacinato ABX software on a PC running Windows. They were asked to complete 10 trials on their own without In order to validate the perceptibility of resonance the help of assessors.
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