Archaeoacoustics: Research on Past Musics and Sounds By Margarita Díaz-Andreu

https://www.academia.edu/144640850/Archaeoacoustics_Research_on_Past_Musics_and_Sounds?rhid=40969695374&swp=rr-rw-wc-6293749&nav_from=d61993d1-ec7a-45fc-94f7-a28b5ab1deb3 Díaz-Andreu, Margarita. (2025) Archaeoacoustics: research on past musics and sounds. Annual Review of Anthropology 54, 113-130. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anthro-071323-113540. ABSTRACT: Archaeoacoustics is a multidisciplinary subfield of archaeology that explores the sounds and music of the past, focusing on sound-producing instruments and acoustical spaces. It encompasses music archaeology, which examines instruments and musical practices, and acoustical archaeology, which studies soundscapes of architectural and natural environments. The field integrates disciplines such as ethnomusicology, psychoacoustics, and neuroacoustics to understand the cultural, symbolic, and psychological dimensions of ancient sound. Research highlights include the discovery of early musical instruments, the acoustic properties of ancient spaces, and psychoacoustic experiments on artifacts. Advances in digital technologies, such as VR simulations and sound mapping, have enhanced public engagement. Despite its potential, archaeoacoustics faces challenges, including limited institutional support and representation in archaeology departments. Future research aims to deepen interdisciplinary collaborations, investigate multi-sensory experiences, and integrate broader ontological perspectives into the study of sound and music in past cultures. | KEYWORDS: archaeoacoustics, music archaeology, acoustical archaeology, psychoacoustics, neuroacoustics, ethnomusicology. | SECTIONS: 1. Introduction / 2. Music archaeology and the archaeology of sound-producing instruments: 2.1. The earliest music and musical instruments; 2.2. Areas of research; 2.3. Musical archaeology for the public / 3. Acoustical archaeology: 3.1. Room acoustics in archaeology; 3.2. Psychoarchaeoacoustics; 3.3. Ethnographic and historical perspectives; 3.4. Acoustical archaeology for the public / 3. Future directions / 4. A final note ...