Prehistoric rock paintings echo moose sounds, study reveals
Scientists have made a surprising discovery. Finnish researchers have discovered that rock paintings depicting moose can generate an echo resembling the sounds of these animals.
Finnish scientists from the University of Helsinki have discovered that prehistoric rock paintings in Finland not only depict moose but can also generate an echo resembling their sounds. This research was published in the journal "Sound Studies".
The paintings in question are between 3,500 and 7,000 years old and are located on cliffs near a lake in southeastern Finland. The smooth rock surfaces create a distinct echo that originates from behind the rock walls. In contrast, adjacent, more jagged cliffs produce weaker sound reflections.
The scientists, including Perttu Kesaeniemi and Mikko Ojanen, conducted acoustic measurements using a specially designed raft and, in winter, by walking on the ice. The results showed that prehistoric hunter-gatherers, approaching the paintings via water, encountered an acoustic environment that amplified the sounds.
Digital sound modelling
At the Music Research Laboratory of the University of Helsinki, scientists recorded contemporary vocal and instrumental improvisations, to which they digitally added the lake's acoustics. These improvisations imitate traditional Saami songs, enabling digital modelling of the acoustic landscape.
Archaeologist Riitta Rainio from the University of Helsinki, quoted by the Polish Press Agency, emphasises that “the echoes are so strong that there is no reason to assume that people in the past didn’t hear them”. Thanks to this, people could hear the painted moose seemingly roaring back in response to their sounds.
This research demonstrates that prehistoric artists worked with imagery and sound, creating a unique audio-visual environment. This discovery sheds new light on the understanding of hunter-gatherer culture and their interaction with the environment.
The ancient Saami people
The Saami are the oldest people of Scandinavia, around whom many legends have arisen. The first mentions of them appeared as early as AD 98. The Saami inhabited areas of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. They possess not only their language, or nine languages, but also a rich culture — including architecture, music, and art.
What distinguished them was their attachment to nature. Once nomads, the Saami exchanged their nomadic lifestyle for a settled one, but they still strived to maintain their traditions.
