In Stone Age Caves, Art and Music Mixed

According to the new archaeological research in Finance, around 12000 years ago the musical events had taken place in torch lit caves with masterpieces of art in the walls. During the Stone Age era the paintings were placed in the most resonant places with echoes. The cathedrals, concert halls are all inspired by these musical performances which were held in caves.

Iegor Reznikoff of the University of Paris told Discovery News that he stumbled upon the Stone Age art and music connection.

“I am a specialist of the resonance of buildings and spaces, particularly of the resonance of Romanesque churches,” Reznikoff explained. “The first time I happened to be in a prehistoric cave, I tried the resonance in various parts of the cave, and quickly the question arose: Is there a relation between resonance and locations of the paintings?”

For testing his question, Reznikoff sang and hummed within a French caves containing prehistoric art.

He gave three conclusions. Most pictures were located near resonant places. Next, the density of the pictures in these areas is proportional to the intensity of that spot’s resonance. Finally places where paintings was difficult have been marked with red lines.

The latter finding suggests cave dwellers first scoped out caves for their musicality before any painting commenced.

Reznikoff will present his findings this week in Paris at Acoustics08.