When blindfolded subjects listened to two English flutes being played in an open field, they perceived that the sounds were being blocked by pillars or archways. That unexpected reaction helped give archaeoacoustics expert Steven Waller intriguing insights into the design—and purpose—of Stonehenge.

Waller spoke at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The briefing in Vancouver, British Columbia, was entitled, "Archaeoacoustics: The Sounds of the Past."

Also speaking at the briefing were:                                                    

David Lubman, acoustics consultant and Fellow, Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Westminster, California; and

Miriam Kolar, doctoral candidate, Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, Stanford University, California.