Metallic Idiophones 800 BCE–800 CE in Central Europe: Function and Acoustic Influence

Abstract

Our project is focused on metal sound objects of the Early Iron Age (Hallstatt Culture), the Roman
period, and the period of the Avar Khanate in the Carpathian Basin (Early Middle Ages). The idiophones
originate from burial and settlement contexts. Our goal is to gain new information on their function, on tonal influence on ancient peoples’ daily lives, and their impact on society. This interdisciplinary project combines archaeological, metallurgical, acoustical, psychoacoustical, ethnomusicological, and psychological methods supported by experimental archaeology and handcraft experience, as well as by ancient written and iconographic sources. In this article we report on the status of our current results. We present three case studies, one for each period, and an acoustic and psychoacoustic overview of all currently investigated sound objects. Analyses of textile remains adhering to pellet bells complete this paper.