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In response to
"This guy has some good theories but early on he was really hilarious. "
by
Meg
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Actually in this presentation he referred to using mouse traps to create sound.......
Posted by
Meg (aka Mojave)
Apr 12 '17, 14:09
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Dr. Steven Waller presented an interesting discussion of his analysis of various auditory illusions as they relate to rock art. He noted that the concept of sound-waves only became known in the 18th century and sound phenomena such as echoes were previously ascribed other causes – often supernatural ones. He spoke of developing an interest in the causes of auditory illusions after a visit to Bedeilhac Cave in France when he became aware of echoes from the cave as though it was answering back. Based on the legends of many cultures, ancient populations may have considered these echoes to be corporal spirits in the rocks answering back.
People of the Pacific Northwest are known for the creation of “Echo Masks” – human masks with interchangeable mouthpieces, representing the wearer’s transformation to his animal spirit. Echo myths of the area speak of the first totem pole and a sky which includes the sun, moon, and echo.
The Memgwashio spirit of eastern Canada is said to live in the rocks and will answer back to children who call his name. Rocks in these areas display painted hand-prints, said to show where Memgwashio closed the rocky portal when retreating into the rock. The strongest echoes from these rocks are found to be at the point of the painted panels. This association of rock art and acoustic effects are found world-wide. Dr. Waller demonstrated his research methods by showing us a map of Horseshoe Canyon in Utah. He creates a sound using a clicker (actually a mouse trap) and records the intensity of the resulting echo. In the Utah study these echoes were graphed on the map of the canyon. The echoes were seen to be most intense in the area of known rock art sites but there was one additional high intensity area. When asked about this, a local ranger confirmed there was, indeed, a lesser known rock art concentration at that point in the canyon.
Cave acoustics produce an additional effect known as reverberation. Dr. Waller considers this to give the illusion of thunder, and has identified storm imagery rock art in areas of strongest reverberation. These images include hooved animals and thunderbirds. In the Niaux Cave in France the reverberations are strongest in the deepest cavern – the Salon Noir – and this is the location of the paintings of hooved animals. The Pech Merl Cave, also in France, creates percussive echoes sound like hoof beats, 90% of the images in the cave depict hooved animals, and these images are only found in areas of strong reverberations. The Aztec deity, Tlaloc, is known as the god of rain, lightning and thunder, and his image is often found in areas with the strongest echoes. The connection with hooved animals continues into later mythology with thunder gods Thor, Zeus, and Odin being associated with such animals. Jupiter is depicted with the bull and ram. Thunder or lightning have also been represented by a forked or trident-like symbol, and these are often seen in association with the hooved animals.
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