Echoes of the past: Finnish moose art speaks through time
Scientists have made a surprising discovery. Finnish researchers have found that rock paintings depicting moose can create an echo similar to 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 produce 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 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, entered an acoustic environment that intensified the sounds.
Digital sound modelling
At the Music Research Laboratory of the University of Helsinki, scientists recorded contemporary vocal and instrumental improvisations and digitally infused them with the lake's acoustics. These improvisations imitate traditional Saami songs, allowing for digital modelling of the acoustic landscape.
Archaeologist Riitta Rainio from the University of Helsinki, quoted by the Polish Press Agency, emphasizes 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 shows that prehistoric artists could work with imagery and sound, creating a unique audio-visual environment. This discovery provides a new perspective on 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 have their language, or nine languages, and a rich culture — their architecture, music, and art.
What distinguished them was their attachment to nature. Once nomads, the Saami traded their nomadic lifestyle for a settled one, but they continued cultivating their traditions.
