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Archaeoacoustic analysis of Poggio Rota Stone Circle in Tuscany, Italy
Natalia Tarabella**, Paolo Debertolis*, Randa Romero**, Giovanni Feo***
*Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and SBRG, Italy
**Super Brain Research Group, Italy
*** Indipendent researcher
Abstract – Poggio Rota Stone Circle was discovered in recent times (2004) by an Italian researcher Giovanni Feo, an Etruscan civilization expert. The studies conducted at the site, which also involved researchers from Italian universities assumed that the megaliths of Poggio Rota were built towards the middle of the third millennium BC by the Rinaldone civilization (4000-2000 BC).Poggio Rota Stone Circle is the only existing monument of this kind in Italy in good condition. Another the Little San Bernardo Cromlech, in Valle d'Aosta has completely collapsed.An archaeoacoustic approach similar to that used at other stone circles in Portugal was used. We tested this structure to see if any natural sound phenomena or resonance were present, because it is understood that some ancient structures have been specially modeled to influence the mind through the use of sound to create an altered state of consciousness. In previous researches we demonstrated that there is a relationship between mechanical vibrations and brain activity in some ancient temples. The resonance phenomena results of 91Hz obtained by the use of a round drum were of interest, because similar results were also found in Cividale del Friuli Hypogeum in North-Italy and at ancient temples in the UK and Ireland by other researchers. A strong radioactivity inside the stone circle dangerous for human health (until 1,77 µSv/h) was also discovered to be present.
Keywords – archaeoacoustics, Poggio Rota, Rinaldone, stone circle.
Proceedings in 21th International Conference and Assembly of the Experts of the Foundation Romualdo Del Bianco “HERITAGE FOR PLANET EARTH 2019 - Heritage as a Builder of Peace", Florence, Italy, March 1-3, 2019: in press.
You can find the original paper in English by SBRG here.
You can find the web site of the Conference here.
The video of the presentation in Florence, March 3, 2019, is here.
Archaeoacoustic analysis of a dolmen on Mount Freddone, Italy
Paolo Debertolis*, Natalia Tarabella**, Lorenzo Marcuccetti**
*Department of Medical Sciences - University of Trieste, Italy
**SB Research Group, Firenze, Italy
Abstract — Archaeoacoustic analysis provides a complementary method to understand archaeological sites as opposed to a stand alone methodology. Such analysis however, can provide useful insights in cases where there is little or no historical documentation. In such cases, a medical anthropological approach can explore any connection between the structure and the interaction with the human physiological can provide insight. This study of a Neolithic dolmen located on a peak in the Apuan Alps, Italy has no historical documentation. A medical anthropological approach was applied to the archaeoacoustic results and compared to a dolmen in Portugal. Subsurface vibrations, which have the effect of entering the brain into a relaxed state, are present. Indeed, the large dolmen stones act like a transducer distributing strong infrasonic vibrations directly above and below the capstone. In the past this site covered a larger area than that found in the present day; on the opposite side of the mountain lie collapsed stones from another dolmen and a nearby quarry provides evidence of where the stones were mined. Both dolmens are orientated towards the equinox.
Keywords - archaeoacoustics, dolmen, Apuan Alps.
Proceedings in Scientific Conference “The 6th International Virtual Conference on Advanced Scientific Results (SCIECONF-2018)", Slovakia, Žilina, June 25 - 29, 2018; Volume 6, Issue 1, pp. 101-108.
Published by: EDIS - Publishing Institution of the University of Zilina, Univerzitná 1, 01026 Žilina, Slovak Republic.
ISBN: 978-80-554-1234-4 ISSN: 1339-9071
You can find the original article in English here.
You can find the original article on the web site of the Congress here.
The ancient knowledge of sound. Archaeoacoustic analysis of the Pyramid of Bomarzo and the surrounding areas in Lazio, Italy
Natalia Tarabella**, Paolo Debertolis*, Daniele Gullà**, Randa Romero**
*Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and SBRG, Italy
**Super Brain Research Group, Italy
Abstract – The term "archaeoacoustics" does not simply mean the study of sound in archaeological contexts, but also the study of all physical phenomena in these sites. Using an archaeoacoustic approach it is possible to measure the frequencies of natural sounds and magnetic fields of archaeological sites and to interpret their possible sacred function. In previous research our research group (SBRG - Super Brain Research Group), an interdisciplinary team of researchers from various European countries, has demonstrated in some ancient temples the existence of a relationship between mechanical vibrations or magnetic fields induced by natural phenomena and brain activity. For the pyramid of Bomarzo, an ancient archaeological site in Lazio (Italy), we applied the same standard of research that we have used for several years. It is without doubt that the Bomarzo pyramid area owns typical characteristics of similar sacred sites we have previously examined in other locations. The presence of 14Hz almost everywhere at different volumes in the Bomarzo pyramid area is a feature we have often met with at other sacred sites such as Sogmatar and in Göbekli Tepe in South Anatolia where it was also possible to localize a similar powerful magnetic field as in the Bomarzo pyramid.
Keywords – sound, archaeoacoustics, Bomarzo, pyramid.
Proceedings in 20th International Conference and Assembly of the Experts of the Foundation Romualdo Del Bianco “HERITAGE FOR PLANET EARTH 2018 - One Planet, One Origin, Many Cultures, One Shared Destiny, Or None!", Florence, Italy, March 3-4, 2018: in press.
You can find the original paper in English by SBRG here.
You can find the web site of the Conference here.
Archaeoacoustic approach of the Rotunda in Bény
Irén Lovász*, Paolo Debertolis**
*Institute of Arts Studies and General Humanities at KRE University of Budapest, Hungary
**Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and SBRG, Italy
Abstract - We would like to draw the attention to a medieval sacred place in Central Europe in the Carpathian basin, where unusual sound phenomena can be experienced. We focus our research on the „12 Apostoles’ Rotunda” of Bény. The settlement used to belong to the Hungarian Kingdom for centuries during the Middle Ages and also continuosly until the first part of the 20th century. Now it is situated in the southern part of Slovakia. Recent studies suggest that the rotunda was already built by the 10-11th century, which raises more questions about who built it and for what purpose. The unique feature of the Rotunda are the 12 mysterious vaulted niches within. Each of these niches strengthens different resonances, which gives a unique sound to the human voice there, according to our hypothesis they were very probably tuned on purpose. In 2016 and 2017 fieldwork was undertaken to test the rotunda’s archaeoacoustic and resonant properties. Equipment, methods, results with our conclusion are described in this paper.
Keywords - acoustics, resonance, rotunda, niches, medieval, Central Europe.
This scientific article was presented at International Conference "Archaeoacoustics III”, Tomar (Portugal), October 5-8, 2017; pp. 111-120.
(ISBN: 978-0965625258)
The original article in English language is here.
You can find the web site of the Conference here.
Fireplace and holy altar in Curiceta at Apuan Alps, Italy
Natalia Tarabella**, Paolo Debertolis*, Daniele Gullà**, Lorenzo Marcuccetti**
*Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and SBRG, Italy
**Super Brain Research Group, Italy
Abstract - The Apuan Alps, High Versilia and Garfagnana are part of the Apuan Alps Park, and are rich in petroglyphs and archaeological finds which are, in part, unknown and not precisely datable. These areas have been inhabited since Neolithic times but, the meaning and the reason for signs engraved on stone, is unclear. The Apuan Alps were chosen as a dwelling by people who left many ancestral and Christianity signs including sacred altars, thrones and artefacts carved in stone. This area acts like a stone atlas revealing our past and our roots. The Curiceta site is located inside a thick forest of chestnut trees, in an area where dried stone terraces are perfectly preserved. The first building approached along the path, is the so-called “fireplace”, a large flat stone that protrudes from the ground and surrounded by a series of aligned stones where, most probably, a fire was lit. Behind the big stone, is a cavity where the smoke could emerge. The lower part of the flat stone features a ”handle” carved in the rock, its function is still unknown. Along a short stretch of the uphill path protected by a high dry stone wall, lies the sacred stone altar. This enigmatic structure has revealed many surprises during the tests performed with electronic instruments. This altar is carved from a single block of stone and consists of a backrest and a horizontal supporting surface. From the left side, there are inclined planes which climb down, below these one can find a vertical groove. The altar features the same carved handle found on the ''fireplace''. Rock altars are very common around the world, for example throughout Southern Italy and the Middle East but, in High Versilia this is the only one example. Archaeoacoustic analysis of the altar found a dominant and powerful frequency present of between -47 and -50db at 25 – 28Hz. A second peak of infrasound at 15-16Hz was also found. This inaudible acoustic characteristic is commonly found at sacred sites, such as the Neolithic temples of Malta (Tarxien – Xaghra Stone Circle). These same vibrations are present near the altar but at a much lower volume. In this case the loudest volume was found directly under the altar decreasing as one walks away from it. In both cases, the most likely source of this frequency is from underground water. The emotional state of eight volunteers was analysed using a TRV camera. 7/8 felt emotionally uncomfortable or uneasy. Based on these results, a hypothesis was formulated on the function of the Curiceta’s site. The two stone structures are connected. On the altar, sacrifices were probably, made, with blood flowing along the left side to the groove on the floor. The fireplace, could have been used to burn the bodies or maybe just some organs.
Keywords: archaeoacoustics, Apuan Alps, dolmen, altar, low frequency sound, infrasound, SBRG, Super Brain Research Group.
Proceedings of International Conference "Archaeoacoustics III”, Tomar (Portugal), October 5-8, 2017: pp. 209-219.
(ISBN: 978-0965625258)
The original article in English language is here.
You can find the web site of the Conference here.
The video of the presentation in Maçao, October 7, 2017, is here.