Janine Hernbrode: Rock Image Researcher
Peter Boyle: Behavioral Neuroscientist
Cancelled- Wednesday, September 9, 2024,
2:30pm – 3:30pm,
ASA Koffler Great Room and Zoom
We are fortunate to live in Arizona where there are numerous Hohokam petroglyph sites. These sites often contain boulders that produce a bell-like sound when struck as well as other intriguing sound phenomena. Accompanying the acoustical characteristics are petroglyphs that may represent the belief system of their creators. The largest recorded petroglyph site contains over 140 bell rocks that show clear evidence of use during pre-contact times. These bell rocks resonated at a wide range of frequencies spanning three musical octaves and are positioned so that musical interaction is possible. Additional research shows that some bell rocks are portable and that others were rubbed, not struck, to produce sound. It was also discovered that certain features in the landscape produce a megaphone-like amplification of sound. These sound amplifying boulders are all marked with similar imagery. Ms. Hernbrode and Dr. Boyle will discuss their research and the cultural insight it gives.
Janine Hernbrode is the leader and lead researcher of an archaeological team that gathers and records data about rock imagery for public agencies in south central Arizona. She has authored numerous journal publications in the field of rock art and has a national reputation in this field. Her research collaboration with Peter Boyle was recognized by the Society of American Archaeology with the Crabtree Award, given annually for outstanding contributions to Archaeology by avocational archaeologists.
Peter Boyle is a behavioral neuroscientist and retired research executive. He received a Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Since retiring, Peter has worked as a volunteer for excavations run by the University of Arizona and assisted laboratory analysis at the University of Arizona and Archaeology Southwest. Peter is a past president of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society and past Board Chair of Archaeology Southwest.
Compiled and Edited by Margo Vroman, Academy Village Volunteer
You can connect to Zoom either by using the following URL: https://zoom.us/j/95456511620?pwd=OC9GcnJRNmJpMTdXdXFhaUpCUkx4QT09 or by opening a browser to zoom.com/join and typing in Meeting ID: 954 5651 1620 and Passcode: 85747