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Architecture and sound: an acoustic analysis of megalithic monuments in prehistoric Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Aaron Watson  and
David Keating
Aaron Watson
Affiliation:
Watson, Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AA, England, [email protected]
David Keating
Affiliation:
Department of Cybernetics, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AY, England, [email protected]
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Abstract

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Prehistoric monuments in Britain are often dominant features in the landscape, and archaeological theory has tended to consider the visual and spatial influences of their architecture upon peoples' movement and perception. The articulation of sound within these structures has not been widely discussed, despite evidence which suggests that many monuments provided settings for gatherings of people. This possibility was explored at two contrasting sites in Scotland, a recumbent stone circle and a passage-grave, revealing that the elemental acoustic properties inherent in each may have literally orchestrated encounters with the stones.

Keywords

soundmegalithsprehistoric monumentsCamster Roundexperimental archaeologyEaster AquorthiesCaithness
Type
Papers
Information
Antiquity , Volume 73 , Issue 280 , June 1999 , pp. 325 - 336
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 1999

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