Systems of acoustic resonance in the ancient sites and related brain activity - Preliminary study

TAG: archaeoacoustics, hypogeum, Cividale del Friuli, resonance, EEG, brain activity, SBRG, SB Research Group

We are beginning a new study  in collaboration with the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic and the Neurophysiology Service of Trieste for the assessment of the effects of resonance phenomena on the human body. Such effects are found in several ancient sites, in particular in the Hypogeum of Cividale del Friuli and in Hal Saflieni in Malta.

We will work with volunteers who will undergo examination by EEG while listening to tones between 90Hz and 120Hz, similar to the resonant sounds present in some Neolithic structures in Europe (England, Ireland, Italy, Malta). The international standards for testing on human volunteers protocol will be adhered to.

The study will seek to deepen what has already been found at the University of California (UCLA) in its laboratories (Laboratory of Brain, Behavior, and Pharmacology) by Professors I. A. Cook, S. K. Pajot and A. F. Leuchter. We will also extend the research directly to the archaeological site of Cividale del Friuli.

For this purpose we will use as our laboratory the absorbing room in the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic for audiometric tests, this has been suitably modified with suitable software and hardware.

Fig. 1 – The absorbing sound room which will be our laboratory

Fig. 2 – Researchers of the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic at work

Fig. 3 – An example of the study of a tone at 125 Hz The room does not appear disturbed by spurious frequencies coming from the outside, but there is only the peak of the sound emitted by the equipment

The absorbing soundroom has been examined to ensure ultrasonic or infrasonic frequencies are not being emitted from the rooms ventilation system, which could affect the results.

The research is estimated to take approximately six months.

SBRG - July 11, 2013

 Translated by Nina Earl

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