Acoustics of the West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury, Wiltshire. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marshall, Steve
• Is Part Of: Time & mind. Volume 9:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Archaeoacoustics -- resonance -- infrasound -- entrainment -- ratio; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Cognition and culture -- Periodicals; 930.101
• DOI: 10.1080/1751696X.2016.1142292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-696X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Continuing on from a 2011 preliminary study, this paper investigates further the acoustical properties of one of Wiltshire's best-known monuments, the West Kennet long barrow, in the Avebury complex. Its two pairs of transepted chambers resonate at frequencies that are musically a 'perfect fourth' apart – a ratio of 4:3. The frequency of the resonances is dictated by the size of the chambers, which in plan are also proportioned 4:3. Several other Cotswold-Severn tombs contain chambers with this 4:3 ratio. Furthermore, the central passage of West Kennet resonates at an extremely low frequency that can produce certain psychological effects; other Neolithic tombs are similarly-proportioned. It is possible that these effects were employed for some ritual purpose in West Kennet and other monuments.