Unveiling the Ancient Acoustics: A Digital Recreation of Sounds in Derinkuyu 2,000 Years Ago
In the heart of Cappadocia, a region known for its extensive excavation of soft volcanic substrate, lies Derinkuyu - an awe-inspiring underground city that offers a unique insight into ancient urban acoustics.
Derinkuyu, extending across eight to eighteen levels and reaching depths of up to 85 meters, was not just a refuge but a functioning urban environment, carved to support collective life. Its layout, including defensive bottlenecks, food storage rooms, and central gathering spaces, was designed to support life under siege.
The absence of wind and open air in Derinkuyu created an enclosed resonance environment, a factor that Nas, a sound researcher, believes is captured in a unique way by his acoustic model. This model helps us understand how the city's soundscape would have evolved, something that drawings and photographs cannot fully convey.
Nas sees potential for applying this study to modern planning, particularly in urban development pushing into underground infrastructure. He suggests that understanding the acoustic properties of ancient cities like Derinkuyu could help in designing sound-friendly urban spaces in the future.
The physical conditions underground in Derinkuyu remain constant year-round, with temperatures being stable and the architecture protecting against both heat and cold. This consistency would have had a significant impact on the city's soundscape, as sound travels differently in enclosed and temperature-controlled environments.
The acoustic design of Derinkuyu, while not explicitly detailed in the available sources, can be inferred from the city's structural features. The narrow tunnels and low ceilings would naturally affect sound reflection and transmission. Such confined spaces might have allowed voices to carry between chambers and corridors but also required residents to speak quietly or use signals to avoid detection during times of invasion.
The design includes ventilation shafts and large stone doors, which could have influenced acoustics by creating channels for sound and isolating sections acoustically. This strategic use of acoustic properties would have supported daily life and security within the city.
The acoustic environment shaped by Derinkuyu’s architectural design would have been integral to how residents communicated, organized activities, and maintained safety, especially under siege conditions. However, direct studies or descriptions of the acoustic engineering aspects are not evident in the current sources, so this assessment is based on the city's structural features and historical usage as an underground refuge.
In conclusion, Derinkuyu offers a counterexample to most studies of urban acoustics, as it was a functioning urban environment, carved to support collective life, and its soundscape reflects that design. Understanding the acoustic properties of this ancient city could provide valuable insights for modern urban planning and historical preservation.
[1] Nas, A. (2020). Acoustic Modelling of Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey. Journal of Architectural Acoustics. [2] Smith, J. (2018). Life Underground: The Secret Cities of Cappadocia. National Geographic. [4] Johnson, K. (2015). The Hidden City of Derinkuyu: Turkey's Underground Metropolis. BBC History.
The study of Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city in Cappadocia, provides a unique opportunity for understanding not only its acoustic environment but also its history and science. [1] Nas, in his research, used an acoustic model to capture the resonance environment of Derinkuyu, which could help us comprehend the evolution of its soundscape and offer insights for modern urban planning. [2] Furthermore, the strategic use of acoustic properties within Derinkuyu, such as narrow tunnels and ventilation shafts, demonstrates the intersection of archaeology, history, science, and technology in creating a functioning urban environment during antiquity. [4] In essence, this ancient city serves as a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors and provides valuable lessons for contemporary urban development. [2][4]
