2. Hearing is one of the most significant means of survival in the animal world.
Similarly, speech is one of the most unique characteristics of human development
and culture. Consequently, the science of acoustics spreads across many facets of
our society like music, architecture, warfare, medicine, industrial production and
more.Acoustics refers to the branch of physics which deals with the study of
mechanical waves in solids, liquids and gases. It includes topics like vibration,
sound, ultrasound, and infrasound. You will notice the application of acoustics
exists in almost all aspects of modern society with the most evident being the
audio and noise control industries.
The word acoustic has its origin in the Greek language. It is derived from the term
akoustikos which means ‘of or for hearing, ready to hear’ and that from akoustos,
‘heard, audible’. Similarly, this is derived from the verb akouo which means ‘I hear’.
The Latin synonym is ‘sonic, after which the term sonics used to be a synonym for
acoustics and later a branch of acoustics. We refer to frequencies above and below
the audible range as ‘ultrasonic’ and ‘infrasonic’, respectively.
3. Knowledge in acoustics is essential to promote the creation of environments, both
indoors and outdoors, involving rooms with good listening conditions for speakers,
musicians and listeners and also living environments and working areas which are
reasonably free from harmful and/or intruding noise and vibrations and with acoustic
comfort. In other words; acoustics is a discipline of great importance for a sustainable
development.
Sound is an important part of human life and culture. In class rooms, meeting rooms,
cinemas, theatres, concert halls, etc. the design has to be such that it is easy to speak
and comfortable to listen with a high degree of intelligibility. Also these parts of
acoustics belong to the professional area of a specialist in sound and vibration.
Music can be very powerful! It quiets your mind and allows you to enter a deeper
brain state which then allows you to absorb the positive energy from the trees, sky
and nature around you! The energy and frequency of the sound heals your soul, mind
and body. Music can reduce your stress and anxiety levels!
6. THEATHER OF EPIDARUS
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Peloponnese: The Ancient Theatre
of Epidaurus is regarded as the best preserved ancient theatre in
Greece in terms of its perfect acoustics and fine structure. It was
constructed in the late 4th century BC and it was finalized in two
stages. Originally the theatre had 34 rows of seats divided into 34
blocks by stairs and walkways.
It is situated near the ancient sanctuary of Asklepios, a celebrated
healing center of the classical world. It was used as a therapeutic
and religious center dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing.
Today the sanctuary is an extended archeological site with
interesting buildings. The theatre is surrounded by lush greenery, an
integral part of the theatre itself. This famous ancient theatre
distinguishes for its architectural symmetry and the great acoustics.
Due to its incomparable acoustics, the actors can be perfectly heard
by all 15,000 spectators, as you can even hear the sound of a pin
dropping. It is known from the antiquity until the present days for its
size, the unique architecture and harmonious proportions. It was
built by the architect Polykleitos on the side of a mountain and
overlooking the sanctuary of Asklepius. This is a superb example of
classical theater with an orchestra and the circular area between the
seats and the stage. The highest distance of the concave is 58
meters, while the diameter of the stage is 20 meters.
7. CHETCHEN ITZAS
The stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades, and other stone
structures of Chichén Itzá were sacred to the Maya and a
sophisticated urban center of their empire from A.D. 750 to
1200Viewed as a whole, the incredible complex reveals much about
the Maya and Toltec vision of the universe—which was intimately
tied to what was visible in the dark night skies of the Yucatán
Peninsula.
The most recognizable structure here is the Temple of Kukulkan,
also known as El Castillo. This glorious step pyramid demonstrates
the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy—and the heavy
influence of the Toltecs, who invaded around 1000 and precipitated
a merger of the two cultural traditions.
Chichén Itzá's ball court is the largest known in the Americas,
measuring 554 feet (168 meters) long and 231 feet (70 meters) wide.
During ritual games here, players tried to hit a 12-pound (5.4-
kilogram) rubber ball through stone scoring hoops set high on the
court walls. Competition must have been fierce indeed—losers were
put to death.
Chichén Itzá was more than a religious and ceremonial site. It was
also a sophisticated urban center and hub of regional trade. But
after centuries of prosperity and absorbing influxes of other cultures
like the Toltecs, the city met a mysterious end.
8. STONEHEDGE
Stonehenge in southern England ranks among the world's most
iconic archaeological sites and one of its greatest enigmas. The
megalithic circle on Salisbury Plain inspires awe and fascination—but
also intense debate some 4,600 years after it was built by ancient
Britons who left no written record.
The monument's mysterious past has spawned countless tales and
theories. According to folklore, Stonehenge was created by Merlin,
the wizard of Arthurian legend, who magically transported the
massive stones from Ireland, where giants had assembled them.
Another legend says invading Danes put the stones up, and another
theory says they were the ruins of a Roman temple. Modern-day
interpretations are no less colorful: some argue that Stonehenge is a
spacecraft landing area for aliens, and even more say it's a giant
fertility symbol in the shape of female genitalia.
Archaeological investigation of the site dates back to the 1660s,
when it was first surveyed by antiquarian John Aubrey. Aubrey
wrongly credited Stonehenge to the much later Celts, believing it to
be a religious center presided over by Druid priests.
9. CHAVIN DE HUANTAR
Chavín de Huántar is an archaeological and cultural site in the
Andean highlands of Peru. Once thought to be the birthplace of an
ancient “mother culture,” the modern understanding is more
nuanced. The cultural expressions found at Chavín most likely did
not originate in that place, but can be seen as coming into their full
force there. The visual legacy of Chavín would persist long after the
site’s decline in approximately 200 B.C.E., with motifs and stylistic
elements traveling to the southern highlands and to the coast. The
location of Chavín seems to have helped make it a special place—the
temple built there became an important pilgrimage site that drew
people and their offerings from far and wide.
At 10,330 feet (3150 meters) in elevation, it sits between the eastern
(Cordillera Negra—snowless) and western (Cordillera Blanca—
snowy) ranges of the Andes, near two of the few mountain passes
that allow passage between the desert coast to the west and the
Amazon jungle to the east. It is also located near the confluence of
the Huachesca and Mosna Rivers, a natural phenomenon of two
joining into one that may have been seen as a spiritually powerful
phenomenon.
Over the course of 700 years, the site drew many worshipers to its
temple who helped in spreading the artistic style of Chavín
throughout highland and coastal Peru by transporting ceramics,
textiles, and other portable objects back to their homes.
10. ORACLE OF CHAMBER
The temple known as ‘chamber of bones’ in the island of Malta.
Thought to have existed much before even the times of the great
pyramids. Perhaps, the first temple (discovered yet) between 3000-
2500 BC.When discovered, they say over 7,000 skeletons were found
in the chamber.
There is s sonic sound signature of the chamber and its niche. Tests
show the strange acoustics of this chamber, there is a place within
the underground structure where a chamber carved out of solid
limestone; ‘the Oracle Chamber’, believed to be the place where
offerings to God would be provided At this location there is said to
be the most vibratory rich point , described as “strange play of
sound in the stone rooms and halls; a “forgotten” technology which
operates on the human emotional sphere”.
The frequency of sound in this chamber has been measured at 110
Hz, much higher frequency than normal background. This frequency
significantly affects the left hand side of the brain whereby
deactivation of language and heightening emotion.Scientists
combined the sound of a person vocally produced sound at 110 Hz
replicating what it would sound like in the setting of the chamber
and the sound produced was a trance-like vibration.
