The laboratory researches on systems for acoustic resonance in the ancient sites and related brain activity are going on at the University of Trieste

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

We are continuing to research the archeoacoustic effects of resonance frequencies found in several ancient Neolithic sites on the human body, or rather how they affect brain activity.

We have begun the first phase of verification. In fact the equipment testing phase has now finished and we have begun an evaluation phase on volunteers, they are wired up to EEG whilst listening to audio frequencies between 90Hz and 120Hz. These frequencies are commonly found in the temples examined by Robert Jahn in the 1990s in Southern England and Ireland, but are also present in Neolithic underground structures as Hal Saflieni in Malta and the hypogeum of Cividale del Friuli in Italy.

Fig. 1 - The control desk placed close to the absorbing sound room

Like in the study by Ian Cook et al.  at the University of California, all of our volunteers were subjected to a "comfortable" volume in the absorbing sound room of the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of the University of Trieste. This type of room is also protected by a fitted Faraday cage inside the walls to sheild from any possible external electromagnetic interferences that could affect the results.

 

Fig. 2 - A large number of electrodes was on the head of the volunteers

At the beginning of the test volunteers choose the volume of sound (from high-fidelity speakers) which was comfortable for them. The same subject remained in silence with closed eyes while the device recorded electroencephalographic their resting brain rhythm. The EEG equipment and technical cooperation necessary for the conduct of the examination was provided by the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology of the Neurological Clinic ot the University of Trieste.

Fig. 3 - The operators at work at the control desk during the experiment

After two minutes of silence to evaluate the resting brain rhythm, the volunteers were subjected to the tones of 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120Hz arranged in a random way for one minute each. At the end of every cycle they listened to a mantra of the same frequency for a period of two minutes. This test was slightly different from the experiment of Cook, who used only 5 frequencies from 90 to 130Hz with 10Hz between without other types of sounds. The 130Hz was not used in our study because it was not found in any of the Neolithic temples we examined.

Of course, during the examination the door was closed and the volunteer remained alone in the room.

Fig. 4 - The computer tone generator (visible in the foreground) provided the necessary frequencies for the experiment

All the volunteers said the sound experience was "amazing." Even two operators from the research team wanted to take the test to subjectively evaluate the correctness of the procedure.

 Fig. 5 - Even two operators of the research team wanted to take the test

Much of the preparation time was used to place electrodes on a specific cap on the head of the volunteer under examination, this maneuver was carried out outside the acoustic room.

Fig. 6 - Preparatory work for the positioning of the headset with electrodes

Next month expert technicians will examine the EEGs for verifying the collected data. After we will move on to examine the same subjects in the underground structure that we are studying in Cividale del Friuli, subjecting them to the resonance frequencies present in it and theoretically making a comparative assessment.

Fig. 7 - The EEGs are no longer on chemical paper, but are digitally recorded and are saved in the form of computer files

The research will resume in September of this year.

Paolo Debertolis - July 25, 2013

A heartfelt thanks to all those who work for the success of this research project and in particular to the Director of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, dr. Fabrizio Monti, and the Director of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology, professor Giancarlo Tirelli, and to all the technical and medical staff. A sincere thanks to the Director of the Department of Medical Sciences, prof. Roberto Di Lenarda, for the support in our research.

Here is an example of tone used during the experiment at 110Hz, in this case with the duration of two minutes.

References

R.G. Jahn, et al.: "Acoustical Resonances of Assorted Ancient Structures" Technical Report no.95002 PEAR, Princeton University, March 1995

R.G. Jahn, P. Devereux, M. Ibison: "Acoustical Resonances of Assorted Ancient Structures" J. Acoust. Am Soc Vol.99 No.2, February 1996, pp.649-658

Cook, I. A.; Pajot, S. K.; Leuchter, A. F., Ancient Architectural Acoustic Resonance Patterns and Regional Brain Activity, Time and Mind, Volume 1, Number 1, March 2008 , pp. 95-104(10)

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