I-Hear-Too on Radio 4... 6 Sept 2011

Hearing the Past through our ancestors’ ears

BBC Radio 4,
11 am, Monday September 12th, 2011.


Imagine being able to eavesdrop on the sound of a ritual at Stonehenge four thousand years ago, or hear singing in the original Coventry Cathedral before it was bombed in 1940.

Broadcaster and Physicist, Professor Jim Al-Khalili investigates how latest research in acoustics is helping us to recreate authentic sounds of the past. It is changing the way we study history and experience tourist attractions. It is also helping us to improve the acoustic design of future buildings.

Jim discovers how architects of modern concert venues are learning lessons from the layout of Stonehenge. He also finds out how acoustic design goes far beyond just making our buildings sound good, in some cases it can save lives.

The research is bringing together a diverse group of scientists, engineers, sound archivists, museum curators and sound artists.

The initial project was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

‘Hearing the Past’ will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 11 am on Monday September 12th. The programme will also be available via the Radio 4 website (bbc.co.uk/radio4). The programme has also been selected as BBC Radio 4’s Documentary of the Week.

The Producer of the programme is Jane Reck.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014f9q5

About I Hear Too

How can audio and acoustics research be employed in the interpretation, understanding and representation of heritage materials and artifacts?

How might such audio materials be better preserved for future generations of researchers and heritage visitors?

The I-Hear-Too research cluster will attempt to answer these questions...

more about I-Hear-Too


I Hear Too is supported by: