Megaliths, Music, and the Mind

What drove the building of the first megalithic monuments and lifestyle changes that launched Western civilization? This exploration of the human experience of special sound in ancient ritual and ceremonial spaces brings a new perspective for anyone with an interest in prehistory and human development in its most pivotal days. From Göbekli Tepe in Anatolia to megalithic temples in Malta to passage tombs in Ireland, the world's oldest buildings and the newest scientific research combine for a look at the Western Neolithic Revolution that goes where no one has gone before. With original photos and illustrations, Megaliths, Music and the Mind assembles content from the worlds of archaeology, architecture, anthropology, ethnomusicology, genetics, neuroscience, physics, and more. Fascinating pieces of evidence are set side by side, resulting in a stunning premise. This book is a core overview focused on the rediscovery of an ill-understood sensory element of developing culture, with hope for therapeutic application in the modern world. Material from the out-of-print booklet Listening for Ancient Gods has been expanded and updated in this volume, which also includes select papers from OTSF Archaeoacoustics International Conferences, plus a personal account from one of the founding fathers of new-age music.

Linda C. Eneix, CEO of The OTS Foundation for Neolithic Studies, is a prehistorian and advocate for transdisciplinary study. As a program provider for the Elderhostel/Road Scholar organization for 25 years, she introduced a program of lifelong learning for Americans in Malta. A pioneer in the field of Archaeoacoustics, she has organized three international multi-disciplinary conferences on the subject and edited their proceedings, as well as supported research. Ms Eneix was named one of 2021's Top 25 Outstanding Women Listeners in the World by the Global Listening Centre. Her work has been featured at conferences and colleges all over the USA, as well as in Portugal, Turkey, Spain, and The Centre Culturel Christiane Peugeot, Paris, France. She has written numerous books and magazine articles. Ms Eneix has been consulted for film, television, and print media in the USA and Europe and has appeared on international television for the Discovery Network and the History Channel.

1. Introduction The "Sapient Paradox" Question Emergence of a New Field of Study Assembling Expert Voices 2. The Hal Saflieni Project The Megalithic Range Human Response 3. Orientation The Sapient Development Timeline Neolithic Revolution Genetics and Migrations 4. Megaliths The Earliest Placement Design Acoustification/Intention Materials Incentive and Project Management 5. Music Instruments Melody 6. The Mind The Spiritual Element Magic? Art Neuroscience 7. The Present of Archaeoacoustics Pseudoscience and the Wall of Resistance Research Application Bonus Material Resonant Form: The Convergence of Sound and Space The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum: A Link between Palaeolithic Painted Caves and Romanesque Chapels? Fear and Amazement Sound, Cognition, and Social Control Voicing Cave: Experience and Metaphor, from Archaeoacoustics to Voice Therapy Initiation: Inside the Great Pyramid