Browsing by Subject "Archaeoacoustics"

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Open Access
An archaeoacoustic study on Cappadocia; acoustical identification of religious and secular indoor spaces
(2021-09) Adeeb, Ali Haider
The goal of this study is to identify the indoor sound fields of Cappadocian special rock-cut structures and by this to provide the platform of discussion on the aural effects in the original use and context of spaces. Cappadocia’s rock-cut structures have been enlisted as mixed -natural and cultural- World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The spaces of Cappadocia from the Middle Byzantine Era have been studied from an archaeological perspective; however, this study is the first of its type as it investigates such spaces from an auditory perspective. Similar acoustical studies have been conducted on natural caves (Paleolithic caves) and man-made structures (Neolithic structures, Roman catacombs) from around the world. The methodology of this study is composed of three steps; in-situ field tests of five rock-cut structures (one church and four residential halls) from Middle Byzantine sites of Hallaç, Açıksaray and Avanos, impedance tube tests on rock samples from Göreme and Ürgüp for estimating their sound absorption coefficients, and virtual reconstruction of Çanlı Kilise by ray-tracing simulations. According to tube measurements and room acoustics simulations, the Cappadocian tuff from different parts of the region is found to have different sound absorption properties and thus, various physical properties. Acoustic parameters (EDT, T20, T30, C80, D50, and STI) are obtained for the spaces under study by field tests and room acoustic simulations. Based on acoustic analysis from field measurements and simulations, both the church spaces are suitable for liturgical practices. On the other hand, the residential halls are found to favor speech-related activities more. The acoustics of rock-cut spaces are also compared with natural caves and man-made structures from other parts of the world; when the acoustic parameter results are compared, the Cappadocian tuff is found to be more sound absorptive than the karst in natural caves but less absorptive than the tuff in Roman catacombs.
Open Access
Characterizing the indoor acoustical climate of the religious and secular rock-cut structures of Cappadocia
(Taylor & Francis, 2021-12-23) Adeeb, Ali Haider; Sü-Gül, Zühre; Henry, Ayşe Belgin
Rock-cut structures of Cappadocia, which are enlisted as natural and cultural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, have particular acoustics due to the specific tuff stone belonging to the region. This study, for the first time, discusses the indoor sound fields of the Cappadocia over five selected spots (one church and four residential halls) from Middle Byzantine sites of Hallaç, Açıksaray and Avanos with an aim of providing evidence regarding the spatial features and culture of the people inhabited these spaces. Acoustical data is collected during in-situ field tests. Acoustic parameters (EDT, T20, T30, C80, CD50, and STI) are obtained for the spaces under study. The rock-cut church is found to be the most reverberant among all the spaces and the most suitable for liturgical practices. The other four spaces are observed as comparatively more favorable for speech-related activities. The study also compares the sound absorption performance of Cappadocian tuff stone to those present in other natural caves and rock-cut structures investigated throughout the world in few prominent studies
Open Access
Investigation of a tuff stone church in Cappadocia via acoustical reconstruction
(MDPI, 2022-05-16) Adeeb, Ali Haider; Gül, Zühre Sü
This study investigates the indoor acoustical characteristics of a Middle Byzantine masonry church in Cappadocia. The Bell Church is in partial ruins; therefore, archival data and the church’s remains are used for its acoustical reconstruction. The study aims to formulate a methodology for a realistic simulation of the church by testing the applicability of different approaches, including field and laboratory tests. By conducting qualitative and quantitative material tests, different tuff stone samples are examined from the region. Impedance tube tests are performed on the samples from Göreme and Ürgüp to document their sound absorption performances. Previous field tests on two sites in Cappadocia are also used to compare the sound absorption performance of tuff stones, supported by acoustical simulations. The texture, physical and chemical characteristics of the stones together with the measured sound absorption coefficient values are comparatively evaluated for selecting the most suitable material to be applied in the Bell Church simulations. The church was constructed in phases and underwent architectural modifications and additions over time. The indoor acoustical environment of the church is analyzed over objective acoustical parameters of EDT, T30, C50, C80, D50, and STI for its different phases with different architectural features and functional patterns. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.