Ringing stones

goffik Dec 20, 2006 15:24:12

I had a look in a magazine called "Fate" yesterday (http://www.fatemag.com/issues/2000s/2006-11.html) in the newsagents...

I opened it randomly on an article called "Striking Stones", which was about various cup-and-ring marked stones (including Achnabreck and Ballymeanoch) which apparently make resonant noises when struck with another stone.

The main stone mentioned had the letters "P S" painted on it in white paint (the initials of the name of the location of the stone, I believe!), but other than that I can't remember what it was called, or where it was! I think it was France, but could be wrong...

Anyhoo.

The stone was mentioned to have "a cup mark on it where ancient people struck it" to make a metallic sound resembling a bell.

I'm sure this has been considered by many people here, so does anyone have any opinions on the acoustics vs aesthetics regarding the carvings? I mean, I'm sure we all (subject to personal taste) agree that there's an appeal ot the look of the carvings, but could sound be another factor to the importance? Is it possible that cup marks could have been formed by repeated striking of the stone to create a sound? And further carvings used to enhance the sound?

After skimming the article (I didn't want to pay £5 just for a 2-page article!) I started to think about the concentric rings as sound waves...

Hmm...

I'm not suggesting for one minute that we all go out and start whacking rocks to see what they sound like please don't!), but am merely asking if anyone knows owt about this...

G x

Kammer Dec 20, 2006 15:56:27

Replying to goffik

goffik wrote:

...so does anyone have any opinions on the acoustics vs aesthetics regarding the carvings?

This story doesn't really ring true to me.

:-)#

I don't see how rock carvings can seriously effect the qualities of a stone when you wack it with something. Rock carving is an aesthetic thing, and possibly a tactile thing, but that's as far as I'd go with it.

I am a bit pissed though, so I may be talking rubbish.

K x

rockartuk Dec 20, 2006 16:06:16

Replying to goffik

Thanks Goffik!
For Rocking Sounds see Steven J. Waller's Rock Art Acoustic Page:
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/9461/
with, among many others, a reference to Tiompan's Invervar-4 ra-panel in a Scottish cave.
Cheers,
Jan

tiompan Dec 20, 2006 16:09:14

Replying to goffik

There are the "Ringing Rocks " of Pennsylvania which are unmarked and give out bell like sounds , India has lots too. Then there was some bloke (will try to find the article) who noted that a marked rock he hit with a hammer , why the hell he tried it in the first place is intriguing , also gave out a sound , wow , would you believe it ?
Considering how many marked rocks are outcrops or earthfast and therefore not the most resonant it wouldn't appear likely they were chosen for their accoustic properties . The addition of a few rings would not affect the pitch that much either .
Accoustics have been investigated in relation to prehistoric monuments , Aaron Watson did do some tests at stone circles and found to his own satisfaction anyway that there were spots that had anomalous readings .
Steve Waller is interested in echoes and has noted that some rock art sites in the US also have an echo .This site http://rockartuk.fotopic.net/c936680.html found earlier this year in Glen Lyon also has one along with the obvious landscape importance and associated rock art . I reckon that was £5 well saved .

rocknicker Dec 21, 2006 09:12:25

Replying to goffik

you hit my stones I smack your head!!!!!!!!!

fitzcoraldo Dec 21, 2006 10:26:51

Replying to goffik

I guess most of us have experienced a still day, miles from anywhere and noticed how well sound has carried across a valley. Perhaps if you're chipping a motif into a stone and it makes a pleasing sound you'd go and get your mates "oi check this out, it's one of them ringing stones" sort of thing. Like you say "chicken and egg"
The way to check if a flint nodule has any flaws or cracks in it is to tap it. If it rings then it's generally ok.