Stonehenge was designed for raves, says university professor

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ROCK on: A university professor believes that Stonehenge was created for neolithic raves.

Archaelogists have long argued over what the 5,000-year-old stone circle was made for, but Rupert Till, an expert in acoustics and music technology at Huddersfield University, but Till says he has the answer.

He believes that the mysterious stones had the ideal acoustics for "repetitive trance rhythms".

Using computer models to recreate the monument as it was when it was constructed, he claims to have discovered that the original Stonehenge had a "very pleasant, almost concert-like acoustic".

He also visited a life-size concrete replica of the monolithic structure made by an American, Sam Hill, in the US state of Washington, to carry out acoustic experiments.

He said: "We were able to get some interesting results when we visited the replica by using computer-based acoustic analysis software, a 3D soundfield microphone, a dodecahedronic speaker, and a huge bass speaker from a PA company.

"By comparing results from paper calculations, computer simulations based on digital models, and results from the concrete Stonehenge copy, we were able to come up with some of these theories about the uses of Stonehenge.

"We have also been able to reproduce the sound of someone speaking or clapping in Stonehenge 5,000 years ago.

"The most interesting thing is we managed to get the whole space (at Maryhill) to resonate, almost like a wine glass will ring if you run a finger round it.

"While that was happening a simple drum beat sounded incredibly dramatic. The space had real character; it felt that we had gone somewhere special."

Pics:Druids party at Stonehenge for winter solstice

Plus:More weird news