The scary sound of Aztec skull whistles
Research on Aztec skull whistles reveals their unique psychoacoustic properties. Replicas were tested under varying air pressures, highlighting their eerie sounds and cultural significance in rituals, enhancing understanding of ancient cultures.
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Research conducted by Sascha Frühholz and colleagues explores the psychoacoustic and archeoacoustic properties of ancient Aztec skull whistles. The study, published in Communications Psychology, examines the unique sounds produced by these artifacts, which were likely used in rituals and ceremonies. The researchers created replicas of the skull whistles and tested them under varying air pressures to analyze the sound characteristics. The findings highlight the eerie and distinctive auditory qualities of the original Aztec instruments, contributing to our understanding of their cultural significance. The study includes sound examples that illustrate the differences in sound produced by the original and replica skull whistles, showcasing the impact of air pressure on sound quality. This research not only sheds light on the historical use of these instruments but also emphasizes the importance of sound in understanding ancient cultures.
- The study focuses on the psychoacoustic properties of Aztec skull whistles.
- Researchers created replicas to analyze sound variations under different air pressures.
- Findings reveal the unique and eerie sounds associated with these ancient instruments.
- The research contributes to understanding the cultural significance of sound in Aztec rituals.
- Sound examples are provided to illustrate the differences between original and replica whistles.
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7 commentsDepending on how you place your lips and shape your mouth, you can get semi-white-noise sounds from soft to harsh, or you can shape the noise into something more like a scream/shriek.
It's funny seeing them turn up on HN just a month after using them in person :)
My initial reaction to reading the title was "there better be a play button involved". Check. Reading the article this page is associated to see how/why these sound like they do, and wondering what the first person to figure this out was like.
> Evil has a sound. It's the sound of humans screaming in agony as they die. Aztecs made implements to simulate this sound. They have been found in the hands of sacrificial victims… the Aztecs considered the ceremonial experience incomplete without the screaming, and built death whistles to simulate the proper sound of agony.
Maybe not the best Thanksgiving music, but who are we to judge?
[1]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1aRqJ7PFZswy4JJ1QJi0Hd?si=...
Spicy take: Aztec society was right up there with Sparta in terms of being some of the most fucked up shit ever on this planet.
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