[Aztlan] Chavín de Huántar Archaeological Acoustics Project

[Sid Hollander]

Once more my interest was peaked..This time by the quote:

"Since 1995, Dr. Rick and his teams have conducted field work at Chavín,
uncovering architectural features and artifacts, many of which relate to
sound and acoustics. "

Naturally, I was motivated and followed the link and found that the study  "A
collaboration between Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in
Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) <http://ccrma.stanford.edu/> and
Archaeology/Anthropology<https://www.stanford.edu/dept/archaeology/cgi-bin/drupal/Archaeology/>"
and the Dr. Rick is with the acoustic group.  OK, so it is normal to say re.
the field work "uncovering architectural features and artifacts, many of
which relate to sound and acoustics."   So what did they find?   "Their 2001
discovery of twenty engraved *Strombus galeatus* shell trumpets, intact but
with extensive use-wear, provides recent and compelling evidence for a sonic
dimension to ritual practice, supporting the idea that the acoustic
properties of the site had functional importance. " Translated doesn't that
mean they often played shell trumpets (i assume that this is the "acoustic"
part.  And since the major feature of the site is the large underground
stone constructed cave-like structures where they played their trumpets may
have played no small affect on the sound.  So what is the
(CCRMA)<http://ccrma.stanford.edu/>group to do,(after all their name
is: Center
for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics <http://ccrma.stanford.edu/>  )
other than map the 'cave/structure'  with equipment so they could make
computer simulations and play synthsized trumpet sounds when they got back
to the lab.  I add that it is interesting to note that they stated that it
was important for them to map the site before it was changed (I imagine
"more" should be inserted.. after all the site is ca. 1000-300 B.C.) by
visitors.

Bottom line:
1. Closed stone cavern-like structure
2. 20 well played trumpets
3. Study by a Center for Computer Research in Music and
Acoustics<http://ccrma.stanford.edu/>
4. Coclusion: Don't tell me..I am afraid!..the birth of acoustical
engineering.

-- 
Sid Hollander
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico CP 97310
The book of nature is written in mathematical symbols…. Galileo