Our research continues of the resonance phenomenon associated with ancient sites on brain activity using EEG
TAG: archaeo-acoustics, archaeoacoustics, hypogeum, Cividale del Friuli, resonance, infrasound, low frequency sound, shamanic drum, brain activity, EEG, SBRG, SB Research Group
Having completed the laboratory phase, the entire team and volunteers participating in this research have moved to Cividale del Friuli Hypogeum to directly test the effect of this ancient archaeological site on human brain activity waves.
It was clear from the outset, this was a far from an easy procedure to perform. The recent rains that occurred over this summer (similar to what we are accustomed to in November), infiltrated the ancient temple with an inordinate amount of water making it difficult to find anywhere try enough for the instruments to properly function.
In particular, the lower level chamber (chamber D on the map) was infiltrated by a few centimeters of water at floor level, making it incompatible with the operation of the instruments.
Fig 1 - - The entrance to the room on the lower level with a few centimeters of water, never seen before
Fig. 2 - The map of the Hypogeum of Cividale del Friuli. It was only possible to perform the experiment in chamber C (the least invaded by water)
We needed to minimize the amount of electronic equipment to avoid it fatally short-circuiting.
We used a portable electroencephalograph connected to a laptop computer on which we recorded the EEG tracks.
Fig. 3 - The computer on which the recording of the EEGs were made
The chambers resonance was stimulated by a shamanic drum. But it was only possible to use this process in the upper of the two chambers where the resonance effect is present (room C of the map).
Fig. 4 - Two different people played the shamanic drum during the experiment. In the image above you can see the exact location of the instrument in the resonance node
In practice the shamanic drum (similar to an "Irish" Bodhrán drum) was played by a person who took the place of the Mother Earth priestess in one of the two resonance chambers, while the volunteer subject was seated at the entrance to the chamber. Exactly the point where they could have been seated when attending a ceremony in the past. Obviously the volunteer was seated firmly to not affect the EEG results through movement.
Fig. 5 – The volunteer seated at the entrance to the chamber while the drum was being played in the “sound node”
This method was impressive because whoever played the drum inside chamber C resonated it throughout the entire underground structure. Even those people outside of the chamber felt on their chest the drum beat. And even when the amount of water become excessive wetting the drum and pushing back the operator from the resonance node the effect of the sound on the bystander was equally powerful.
Fig. 6 – The positioning of the sensors on the head of the volunteers was not simple in this restricted and difficult environment
It was really hard working in the restricted chambers and so totally different than the acoustic room at the hospital with all the available equipment. The humidity was 100% and recent rains have meant that the water coming through the wall, falling in drops on the floor, has created a decidedly difficult situation. But we still managed to achieve our goals while maintaining equally high standards of our measurements.
Fig. 7 - The dark and cramped environment has made it difficult to carry out any procedure, but this research team still managed to get the required measurements
Fig. 8 – Reading and recording of EEG was accurately performed on a dedicated laptop
On this occasion we only tested four of the ten volunteers who have previously been examined in the laboratory (two males and two females, two experts in transcendental meditation), to develop an effective protocol to be repeated on all other subjects of the experiment.
From what we have seen from the first tracks, these temples were not for everyone, but only to the initiated people (or at least those trained in meditation and prayer). In fact, it would seem that the sensitive subjects have responded to the resonance effect of the Hypogeum with much higher brain electrical potentials, indicating that the effect of the sound on them was higher, making easier to go into a deep meditation in a short time.
Fig. 9 - The disturbing aspect of the so-called "têtes coupées", the guardians of the hypogeum of Celtic tradition, which accompanied in silence our measurements
During the period from September to October of this year we will continue the research until it has reached its conclusion.
Paolo Debertolis - August 8, 2014
A sincere thank you from SBRG research group to the owner of the Hypogeum, Mr. Gaetano Bront, for his willingness and kindness to divest its old premises for our experiments. Heartfelt thanks also to Mr. Federico Morandini who patiently gives us the keys to the Hypogeum for our research in every moment. Thanks also to Elisabeth and Mauro, technicians of neuro-pathophysiology, for their courage and professionalism in dealing with all the adversities with serenity for this last mission to the hypogeum.
Edited by Nina Earl
SBRG group researching the tectonic base frequencies in Venezia Giulia, Italy
Tag: archaeoacoustics, archaeo-acoustics, low frequency, infrasound, transducers, Grotta Gigante, tectonic noise, geological fault, SBRG, SB Research Group
After beginning the archaeoacoustic study of Bugomili’s Dolina and other archaeological sites in Venezia-Giulia (Italy), SBRG group needed a yardstick with which to compare the tectonic base noise in this area, with that of sacred sites in the region.The Grotta Gigante cave is nestled deep in the Karsic area and located only a few kilometers away from Bugomili’s Dolina, making it an ideal candidate for this acoustic study. Its main cavern is the largest in Europe and second in the world (measuring 98,50 metres high, 76,30 metres wide and 167,60 metres long). Inside are a number of geological instruments (including a seismograph and geodetic pendulum) used to measure the tectonic plate (earth tides) on which lies this territory.
The study of the noises present in this area are not the only one reported for comparison to that recorded in Bogumili’s Dolina (of which we have already reported here), but also to what is reported to the Mithraeum, one of the few still existing although violently destroyed in the fifth century AD, which is located nearby too we looked at recently, but for now that does not seem to be accompanied by a resonance phenomenon inside.
Fig. 1 – The remains of the ancient Mithraeum located in the vicinity of the mouth of Timavo river, famous for its long underground water course before ending in the sea
The Mithraeum is located in a cave overlooking the mouth of the Timavo river, possibly frequented since the Neolithic period. Which could explain why a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras, is there, as is the tradition of placing a temple in a natural cave near a source of water. This reaffirms the bond of the deity with the heavenly world, deduced from sacred images carved on two stones inside the Mithraeum.
Fig. 2 – Some of the stone plates inside the natural cave depicting the god Mithra photographed with an infrared camera
Back to Grotta Gigante (translation from Italian language: giant cave) in collaboration with the Julian Alpine Society (section of C.A.I, Club Alpino italiano) we obtained the authorization to place the microphones in the cave (outside visiting hours) to record any sounds present for a whole night. These files are still be analyised (about 12 hours).
Fig. 3 – The building for the reception of tourists at the entrance and the stairs leading to the cave
In the cave two huge geodetic pendulums are located in the center of the main chamber by the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Trieste. This measures the slope of the tectonic plate on which the Venezia Giulia area rests and there is a very sensitive seismograph that can record earthquakes thousands of miles away which is placed on the bottom of the same chamber.
Fig. 4 - The access to the main chamber with the huge pendulums which hangs from the top of the cavern until the ground
With the help of Fulvio Forti, the guide of Julian Alpine Society, the microphones were initially placed on the bottom of the cave, approximately 500 steps in a location away from water, but partially disturbed by the noise of the fans of seismograph placed at some distance.
Fig. 5 - The place where the microphones were placed in the bottom of the cave not far from the seismograph, locked in a small shack in cement
The results were however amazing. We recorded all night long until the cave was opened to the public in the morning. There was an incredible amount of noise recorded in the dark and silent environment. The sounds of breaking rocks from the rubbing of tectonic layers of hard rocks resulting from the phenomena of attraction of celestial bodies, the sun and the moon in particular, expressing the constant noise coming from the movements of the geological fault inside the cave. This owes its rise to a cataclysm that occurred about 12,000 years ago, the exact dating of which was determined by measuring the incremental lines of the growing stalactites that broke in the cataclysm.
Here is an example of a piece of original unaltered recording of less than a minute in mp3 format (the original recording has a significant size in 24 bit wav format) in which (ignoring the noise from the electronic fan cooling equipment of the seismograph) you can hear the cracking of the rocks that are moving, clearly distinguishable from the drops of falling water. We recommend listening to the file with a high fidelity headset.
Fig. 6 – A very evident fracture passes transversely through the entire thickness of the walls of the cave
Fig. 7 - Part of the research team: on the left Fulvio Forti, guide of the Julian Alpine Society, and on the right our assistant / photographer, Chiara Chiandotto
At the end of August, we will take more measurements, placing the microphones in different locations. For now however, it does not appear that the low frequency sounds present in the sacred sites of the region are caused by the movement of underground water.
Fig. 8 – The graph of the data collected at the bottom of the cave. Low frequencies or infrasound are not present, only high frequencies from the noise of the drops, or the breaking of rocks in the fault line that runs through the cave transversely (the peak of ultrasound at around 70kHz is an effect due to the sensitivity of the microphones, but it is not real)
The range of grinding noise from the rock fracture within the geological fault, although surprising, do not look like the frequencies detected in other archaeological sacred sites previously studied by SBRG group.
Paolo Debertolis – August 2, 2014
We thank the Julian Alpine Society (Società Alpina delle Giulie) for their willingness to cooperate with this investigation, providing its facilities. A sincere thanks in particular to the Director of the Grotta Gigante, arch. Alessio Fabbricatore, and the guide Fulvio Forti.
Translated by Nina Earl
Archaeoacoustic research in Bogumili’s Dolina in the North-East of Italy
Tag: dolmen, menhir, dollina, Bogumili, archaeo-acoustics, archaeoacoustics, archaeology, SBRG, SB Research Group
In May 2014 SBRG began to examine a possible Neolithic site located on the Slovenia border called Dolina of Bogumili.
A “dolina” is a subsidence on the surface triggered by the collapse of an underground tunnel which has an underground river runnning through. It is caused by the process of "karstification", the chemical dissolution of calcareous rocks. The corrosion occurs by work of meteoric water that containins a certain amount of dissolved atmospheric carbon dioxide, when falling on the soil above ground CO2 is deposited.
This process creates the formation of long-distance underground tunnels, when they collapse they can sometimes create a sinkhole, a deep depression in the ground roughly circular in shape.
At Dolina of Bogumili, the depression in the ground has been used from time immemorial to build a type of amphitheater which features some superb acoustic characteristics. On one side at the bottom of the surface depression, there is a dolmen with a narrow entrance passage leading to a round chamber at the end which is covered by soil. In some aspects it has similar features to the Tombs of the Giants in Sardinia.
In the following pictures you can see the abandoned state of the amphitheatre, highlighted and circled in red is the entrance to the dolmen.
Fig. 1 - The Dolina of Bogumili: highlighted in red the entrance of the dolmen on the bottom of the depression
Fig. 2 - The entrance to the dolmen. In the foreground the anthropologist Alessandro Severi who has previously collaborated with SBRG group in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fig. 3 - The long, narrow corridor leading to the round chamber at the end. Everything is built with large dry stones and covered by earth
As you can see from above pictures, the structure was entirely built of dry stone, then covered with earth.
As in other sites we examined using our archaeoacoustic standard (SBSA), we used a shamanic drum (similar to an "Irish" Bodhrán drum) outside the megalithic structure then recorded the harmonics produced.
Fig. 4 - We recorded the harmonics from a shamanic drum played in the site over the dolmen as the base line of the sound inside the depression of the surface (“dolina”)
We found that by positioning the shamanic drum at the entrance to the round chamber, it was possible to create resonance throughout the dolina with three specific frequencies which were different from the base frequency of the drum and its harmonics.
It is not known when this dolmen was built, but the menhirs scattered within the valley suggest a prehistoric period. The first traces of documentation dates back to 1600, oral tradition tells of the bugomilic heresy using it in the Middle Ages. Usually bugomili did not build these structures, as they made use of those structure already in existence. Some excavations carried in this site discovered shards of Roman dishes, so it can be assumed that the structure was in existence before the Middle Ages.
The images of some of the megalithic menhirs scattered within the dolina.
Fig. 5 - There are many menhirs scattered at different levels in the depression of soil
Some local historians have speculated this site was a Celtic tribunal with an audience sitting on the stands. This theory is hard to accept, if there was an audience, they would have had to stand up. In fact, the steps are too high to support sitting and if that happened, people would of had to tip their legs and with the sharp edge of the stones it would have been very comfortable. The appearance is clearly prehistoric, so its origin goes backdated respect the official dating, also because the archaeoacoustic characteristics found in this first investigation were common in several prehistoric temples we analyzed in previous missions in Europe.
This site presents an ongoing archaeoacoustic challenge for our research group. The volume and timbre of the drum changes substantially in the amphitheatre, when you turn on the resonance going to place the drum between the dome-shaped room, inside the dolmen, and the entry corridor. That is, the dome serves as a sound box and vibrates the entire amphitheatre when the drum is placed in the "node" of resonance. It was possible to detect this both graphically and directly by the microphones placed in or outside of the dolmen.
Fig. 6 - The noise characteristics of the shamanic drum outside the dolmen. It’s clear a base frequency of 71Hz from which then departs its harmonics
Fig. 7 - The Analysis of sound that propagates inside the dolina when the drum is played inside the room. The sound of the instrument is filtered and only three frequencies come outside, these correspond to the resonant frequencies of the rounded room in the central dolmen
Here you can find a sample sound file recorded in the valley during the experiment (about 17 per second you can feel the difference in the sound when you turn on the resonance).
This phenomenon is not to be considered by pure chance, the whole structure would seem to have a ritual function based on its acoustical effect.
As proof of what we have just said you can compare what we found in another room placed inside the middle of the tiers of the amphitheatre. This room, well integrated into the overall complex of the amphitheater, though built with the same method of the dolmen, is totally devoid of sonic characteristics that make it a simple shelter, also equipped with louvers that illuminate the interior.
Fig. 8 - The second room present at a level higher than the side of the valley and steps (circled in red the entry). The photo is taken from the bottom of the surface depression (dolina)
Fig. 9 - Detail of the entrance of the room-shelter
Fig. 10 - The loopholes in the room-shelter locations inside and outside. This room is completely devoid of sound properties
The dome chamber is situated centrally inside the dolmen at the end of a corridor, it is dark inside as there's is no natural light. It is similar in many respects to so called megalithic 'mound tombs', such as Newgrange in Ireland, all be it on a much smaller scale.
Fig. 11 - The long corridor of Newgrange, which leads to a central round chamber. Design by William Frederick Wakeman, 1900
Fig. 12 - For the evaluation of the sound characteristics of the round chamber, we placed the microphones both at the end of the long corridor inside the structure and at its entrance
Fig. 13 - For all other archaeoacoustic assessments the microphones were placed at the center of the sinkhole
Among other acoustic characteristics detected, there is also a low-frequency continuously detectable here and partly around the dolina. Probably this originates from underground movements of water, but justify the choice of ancient people for building a temple in this depression of soil, just like many other Neolithic temples we examined.
The archaeoacoustic research on this site will continue in the coming months.
Paolo Debertolis, Nina Earl – July 7, 2014
An anonymous quarrelling blogger
(Notice for the readers)
Tag: Irna, Le site d'Irna, Irna's blog, Irna, Simplicio, Eclisseforum, SBRG, SB Research Group
Usually we don’t waste time with what is written about us in the media, especially on forums or anonymous blogs. However, following the persistence of an anonymous blogger, we are obliged to officially reply to the attacks directed to our research group from the Internet. In this case we are speaking about Irna’s web site which claims to tell readers the truth about Bosnian Pyramids.
The readers should know that this anonymous blogger, Irna, gives the illusion of being an academic archaeologist. Although she graduated in geology, Irna has no academic assignment, experience of research or knowledge of archaeology, she is in fact merely a geography teacher at a school in Lyon (France). Her knowledge is obtained purely from the Internet, something recognised by the editor in the only journalistic report she published on the French review “Balkanologie” at the point n.4 of the “Texte intégrale” of the article (in French language “agrégée de Géographie” is teacher of geography at school).
Irna claims the reason for her anonymity is because she has received threats, but this anonymity covers completely her lacks. However her knowledge of Bosnia language and affairs is because she is of Bosnian origin.
The reason for all her attacks against our group of research (SBRG) is unclear, however more recently she promotes the sale of her e-book for €10.45 in which she argues the Bosnian pyramids are only a pseudo-archaeology affair.
SBRG group carried out research between 2010 to 2013 in Bosnia-Herzegovina with 18 missions. We published 2 papers here and here on international scientific literature and 28 news and 13 articles on our web site in English for describing our studies. Clearly our academic interest in the archaeoacoustic properties of this archaeological site in Bosnia were not well accepted by Irna.
We have also researched in other European countries, in particular England, Italy, Croatia, Malta, Serbia and Macedonia, but Irna has no interest in our research here. She is interested only in our Bosnian activity.
Because she cannot refute our academic titles, she began to discuss about the validity of archaeaoacoustic methods in archaeology, but after eight papers we published in the international literature since 2012 she can no longer support her claims, we have to remember she is not an archaeologist.
So Irna began to discuss who accepted our papers and in particular about the editor Thomson Ltd. of Žilina (Slovakia Republic) which organizes scientific conferences on the Internet and accepted 4 of our 8 papers on archaeoacoustics from 2012 (we have also published scientific papers on other arguments).
These conferences have three important peculiarities: firstly the editor after a peer-review mechanism of selection gives the possibility to the author that his work is easily found on the Internet by a simple search engine search, without having to spend a lot of money as with a traditional conference; secondly the number of citations of the author on Google Scholar is increased; thirdly the editor set in contact the authors of different fields for a multidisciplinary approach to science, giving the possibility to the participants to know the progress of other fields of research contiguous to theirs.
The success of this format is well demonstrated by the participation of a great number of authors and second or third editions of every virtual conferences reached at this moment. The last article produced by Irna attacks these conferences and at the same time reveals her low scientific knowledge and lack of understanding as to how the academic world works.
One only has to ask, what is real Irna’s motivation in discrediting all our research carried out in Bosnia?
SBRG – June 11, 2014
Update July 28, 2014 - Recently Irna’s blog trying again to have more visibility has re-published some links regard an anonymous Italian blog with a certain number of articles full of falsehoods, foolishnesses and misconceptions about our research group and some members of it.
As we published here some months ago, the readers have to know that the anonymous author of these articles, signed with the pseudonym of Simplicio, was a young degree student of Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic of Milan (Italy), whose initials are M.M.
At present we know this student has never received any training in the field of archeology, archaeoacoustics, acoustic or audiology. He has never participated in any archaeological excavation, he has never published any scientific paper or poster, he has never done any institutional research and has never been to Bosnia and Herzegovina, even though he has written about this extensively.
Therefore we leave it to you the readers opinion as to the scientific value, or even as documentary value the articles produced by this blogger (translated in French and English languages directly by Irna and by one of her collaborators, Abacus/Romulus), along with their level of their authoritativeness, claimed by the same anonymous author.
Irna’s attempt to claim authority using such ridiculous references is clearly non-professional, non-scientific and absurd again.
Archaeoacoustic mission to Macedonia for SBRG
TAG: archaeoacoustics, archaeo-acoustics, archeology, electromagnetic waves, ultrasound, infrasound, Macedonia, geoglyph, Sveti Nikole, Kanda, SBRG, SB Research Group
In March 2014 some members of SBRG (S. Mizdrak and H. Savolainen) participated to an archaeoacoustic mission to Macedonia for analyzing a geoglyph in the region of Sveti Nikole. This mission was organized by the Croatian historian Domagoj Nikolić and supported by Macedonian authorities.
Fig. 1 – The group of all researchers at work
The geoglyph is visible only by sky and is placed on a little hill (see the image below).
Fig. 2 – The geoglyph on the top of a little hill
This hill looks to be artificial as a tumulus and the composition of the soil is different from surrounding fields.
This ancient tumulus seems to have some archaeoacoustic and physical properties. Thanks to the help of our members and their devices, in particular the new 3D sensors built in Demiurg laboratory which transform the radio wave signal into audio signal, these properties were analyzed very deeply.
Fig. 3 – The new 3D sensors by Demiurg
Fig. 4 – The equipment used for the study in Macedonia
Fig. 5 – The spectrum diagram of the electromagnetic beam at 41.6KHz recorded on the tumulus (click to enlarge)
These spectrum diagrams, you can see above, show the difference between Demiurg 3D-EM sensor data measured on the top of the geoglyph and on the location 300 mtrs away, so called "local baseline". Top data shown here is from the first spot of the triangular three EM measuring spots. Also stereo infrasound baseline data is presented. GPS data is not present in this.
Fig. 6 - The signal at 41.6Khz (click to enlarge)
This mission was followed by Macedonian media in all aspects. All the data recorded on the tumulus were delivered to the Museum of Sveti Nikole for a deeper analysis and publication.
Fig. 7. – An interview by Macedonian media to the protagonists of the research
Ultrasound, triangular comparison and binary analysis are in progress.
The preliminary results have been presented at the end of this mission in a lecture at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies in Skopje by the researchers.
SBRG – May 19, 2014
You may listen the radio signal found on the top of the tumulus and transformed into audible signal by the devices of the research group here
