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Archaeoacoustics? - Sonic Anthropology?!

11/6/2017

1 Comment

 
This was prompted by the discussions and in some cases disagreements around the title archaeoacoustics which like it or not has come to be an established term. In order to remind ourselves a back to basics approach in terms of etymology and syntax seemed pertinent.
​Archaeoacoustics, Sonic Archaeology, Acoustic Anthropology or Anthropological Acoustics, Sonic Anthropology - The study of sound in heritage and cultural development

​archaeology

ˌɑːkɪˈɒlədʒi/
noun
  1. the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains.


acoustic
noun
plural noun: acoustics; noun: acoustics
  1. 1.
    the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
    "the Symphony Hall has perfect acoustics"
  2. 2.
    the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound.
    "Tyndall lectured on acoustics"


anthropology
noun
  1. the study of human societies and cultures and their development.
    • the study of human biological and physiological characteristics and their evolution.


sonic
adjective
  1. denoting, relating to, or of the nature of sound or sound waves.
    "the whales emit sonic pulse systems"


Archaeoacoustics, Sonic Archaeology, Acoustic Anthropology or Anthropological Acoustics, Sonic Anthropology - The study of sound in heritage and cultural development

They all work! It can be easy to get hung up on a title if you are a traditional archaeologist or consultant acoustician. There have been attempts at a definitive definition for archaeoacoustics.... However due to it's multidisciplinary nature the term archaeoacoustics without getting too hung up works very well. It is interesting to note that the term archaeaoacoustics has also been added to the Collins dictionary as a newly recognised word with a definition thus -
"...a mix of systematic measurement and vocal experimentation ... has become formally known as archaeoacoustics, or sound archaeology. " It's not a perfect definition but it's getting towards the nub.

Several colleagues in the field have suggested as a formation title for a society "The Society for Archaeoacoustic Research" - I personally rather like this and believe the established term should be kept as it beginning to be understood and recognised in a wider context. It is certainly recongnised within my own academic institution and increasingly I am finding undergraduate research students under my supervision are increasingly coming to me with research project proposals based on initial findings around archaeoacoustics. Whatever is settled upon it has to work with a wider audience in mind and not just us niche researchers. 



1 Comment
Presley Harper link
4/16/2021 02:41:29 am

Niice blog thanks for posting

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    N. Green

    The rambling thoughts and musings of an audio engineer/sound designer turned archaeoacoustician

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  • About
  • Main Hub
    • IR Audio Files
    • IR Edits Download
    • Documentaries 1
    • Documentaries 2
    • AES Scotland
    • IR Video Tutorials
    • Site Data Sheets
    • Archaeology Month Performances
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    • The Guerilla Impulse
    • Auralisation Map
    • Site links
    • Links: Further reading
    • Glossary
  • Journal
  • Gallery
  • Wemyss Caves Auralisation Project