There's a concrete replica of Stonehenge here in Washington State. A Yorkshire lad, Rupert Till, paid it a visit and discovered unexpected acoustical properties:
Although the replica has not previously gained any attention from archaeologists studying the original site, it was ideal for Dr Till's work.
He said: "We were able to get some interesting results when we visited the replica by using computer-based acoustic analysis software, a 3D soundfield microphone, a dodecahedronic speaker, and a huge bass speaker from a PA company.
"By comparing results from paper calculations, computer simulations based on digital models, and results from the concrete Stonehenge copy, we were able to come up with some of these theories about the uses of Stonehenge.
"We have also been able to reproduce the sound of someone speaking or clapping in Stonehenge 5,000 years ago.
"The most interesting thing is we managed to get the whole space (at Maryhill) to resonate, almost like a wine glass will ring if you run a finger round it.
As some of you may remember, I've been thinking about sound a lot lately, and this article really, ahem, struck me. I have some notions of how to use these stone-and-sound notions for my big old sword-swangin' fantasy novel. Weird and spooky and creepy-creepy-creepy, heh heh.
