Archaeoacoustics is the discipline that explores acoustic phenomenon encoded in ancient artifacts. For instance, theoretically a pot or vase could be "read" like a gramophone record or phonograph cylinder for messages from the past. Acoustics is a branch of physics and is the study of sound, mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids. ... The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour (1967) as a 33 â…“ LP vinyl record A gramophone record (also phonograph record, or simply record) is an analogue sound recording medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed modulated spiral groove starting near the periphery and ending near the centre of the disc. ... The earliest method of recording and reproducing sound was on phonograph cylinders. ...

One cannot say that it is the study of sounds before the invention of recording, since "to record" is a technically ambiguous action. Sound itself is so ubiquitous to the universe that it can be recorded or naturally emanate from a variety of materials and objects. Paul Devereaux writes: Sound is a disturbance of mechanical energy that propagates through matter as a wave. ...

"Archeologists have finally realized that ancient people had ears, and have discovered that various kinds of acoustic effects – from eerie echoes to resonant frequencies that can affect the brain – seem to have been an intentionally planned component of a number of prehistoric sites worldwide, from ruined temples to rock art locations. 2, 3 Prehistory is at last gaining its own soundtrack."

Although many scientists have claimed to have succeeded in finding sounds from ancient pottery, there has yet to be conclusive proof that such a thing is possible, and an episode of Mythbusters that tested this theory found evidence that while some generic acoustic phenomena can be found on pottery, it is unlikely that any discernable sounds (like someone talking) could be recorded on the pots unless the ancient peoples had the technical knowledge to deliberately put the sounds on the artifacts. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: MythBusters The cast/crew of the television series MythBusters performs experiments to verify or debunk urban legends, old wives tales, and the like. ...

Related

• Ernst Chladni
• Cymatics
• petroglyph

Ernst Florenz Friedrich Chladni (November 30, 1756 - April 3, 1827) was a German physicist. ... Cymatics is the study of wave phenomena. ... Petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument, southern Utah, USA Petroglyphs are images incised in rock, usually by prehistoric, especially Neolithic, peoples. ...

External links

• Spirits In The Stones: article in The Fortean Times by Paul Devereaux
• Ringing Rocks of South India
• Archaeoacoustics on CSI
• Steven J. Waller's Rock Art Acoustics page
• Pipe Dream Or Possibility?
• Piperstown Echoing Stone