Acoustic ambience of two roman theatres in the Cartaginensis province of Hispania. (15th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Girón, S.; Galindo, M.; Romero-Odero, J.A.; Alayón, J.; Nieves, F.J.
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 193(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-15
• Subjects: Historical acoustics -- Acoustic heritage -- Classical theatre acoustics -- 3D impulse responses -- Roman Hispania -- Energy diagrams; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107653
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: The period of Romanisation of Hispania runs from 218 BCE (Romans landing in Ampurias) to the beginning of the 5th century (entry of the Visigoths into the Iberian Peninsula, replacing the authority of Rome). Throughout this extensive period spanning seven centuries, the territory would be marked with the unmistakable imprint of Roman culture and customs. The imperial era of Roman civilisation witnessed not only the greatest upsurge in the construction of the theatre, but also the export of its model from Rome to the provinces. This work studies the acoustic environment of two Roman theatres of Hispania (present-day Spain and Portugal) located on the east coast of the peninsula that were reference cities of the Cartaginensis province: the theatre of Carthago Nova and the theatre of Saguntum . The acoustic characterisation encompasses a parametric and spatial description of their sound fields and a comparison of their acoustic atmospheres justified by their different states of recovery-rehabilitation. Both theatres especially that of Saguntum, present long reverberation times compared to other theatres of Roman Hispania. As a consequence, their energy descriptors show noticeable differences in the two theatres, whereby the most unfavourable perceptual conditions are presented in the Saguntum theatre with its completely rebuilt stage front. The parametric results are corrobarated through tridimensional energy plots carried out by IRIS diagrams imported into 3D geometrical models of the performance spaces, and therefore further indicate the importance of certain zones in the acoustics of the theatres. Highlights: Parametric and spatial acoustic analyses of both Roman buildings are carried out. Quality for speech and music perception in these Roman buildings is compared. Extended energy plots from IRIS diagrams have been imported into 3D models. Energy acoustic distribution in time intervals implicates the role of surfaces. 3D impulse responses corroborate the parametric description and discussion.