May 3, 2024

Shamanic rituals in a cave in Finland might be linked to unique acoustics

He would take his clients to the cavern to talk with the Devil about the causes and treatments of their issues, doing a ritual that consisted of yelling, screaming and stomping.

The cave is essentially a natural crack in the mountain that was used as an event location for Finnish sages.

One of the popular attractions of the Koli National Park is the Devils Church. The cavern is basically a natural fracture in the mountain that was utilized as a gathering location for Finnish sages.

Entrance to the cave. Image credits: Julia Shpinitskaya.

A map of the cave. Image credits: Rainio et al

The scientists believe that a resonance-amplified, consistent tone has most likely been audible in the background of routines carried out in the Devils Church. They said the result of this resonance was most likely subtle and unconscious, however it could have still substantially formed the experiences and beliefs associated with the cavern.

. In their research study, the researchers went through historic archives showing that several sages run in the Koli area. The most famous one was a guy called Kinolainen. He would take his patients to the cavern to talk with the Devil about the causes and treatments of their issues, doing a routine that consisted of yelling, stomping and yelling.

“Where a scientist of acoustics hears resonance, individuals of the past might have noticed the presence of a spirit, and a shamanic specialist might feel the existence of an exceptional energy, each according to their background,” the scientists wrote in a news release.

Cave acoustics

The scientists likewise spoke with and observed a modern-day professional of shamanism who utilizes the cave for routines. He said theres a special energy in the cave, producing a strong connection to the surrounding nature and to ones own roots. He likewise said that drumming sessions, particularly at the back of the cavern, have actually opened “brand-new horizons.”

Artistic representation of cave acoustic. Image generated by AI.

Scientists at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland found that the Devils Church produces a distinct resonance phenomenon. This phenomenon prolongs and improves noise at a particular frequency. The researchers argue that this event might have significantly affected the beliefs and experiences connected to the cavern.

Resonance is typical in built environments, but rare in natural settings. In nature, smooth, strong, parallel surface areas are hardly ever found. This suggests that the resonance in the innermost part of the cavern would have been an extraordinary noise phenomenon for the people living in the area.

In eastern Finland, the Koli National Park is home to a popular 34-metre-long crevice cavern. The cavern is called Pirunkirkko, or Devils Church in English– and theres an excellent factor for that.

Determining sounds

The sages were spiritual professionals in farming communities over the previous centuries. Their main job was to reach the spirits in the environment, heal the ill, and resolve different issues brought on by imbalances or disruptions between people, nature, and the spirit world. In their routines, they yelled, raved, leapt, and sang.

The scientists likewise interviewed and observed a modern-day specialist of shamanism who uses the cave for routines. He stated theres a special energy in the cave, creating a strong connection to the surrounding nature and to ones own roots.

For their research study, the team carried out acoustic measurements in the corridor-like back of the cavern and discovered a strong resonance phenomenon. This is triggered by the creation of standing sound waves in between the smooth parallel walls, creating a tone at the natural frequency of the cavern (231 Hz) that stays audible for one 2nd after sharp impulses, like loud bangs.

The research study was published in the journal Open Archaeology.

The cave was referred to as a location where shamans (or sages) would meet to get in touch with the spirit world. Now, scientists have actually discovered among the reasons that they may have selected to use this cavern– its special acoustic residential or commercial properties.

The scientists argue that this event could have significantly affected the beliefs and experiences linked to the cavern.