Sounds of Silence
Landscape surrounding the Tomba Francesca Giustiniani (Tarquinia) 500-450 BCE
From the perspective of human cognition, sound does not exist without a listener. However, when perceived, sound can profoundly shape human experience. These realities have striking implications when considering endangered ancient landscapes and their corresponding sounds or ‘soundscapes.' The Etruscans, a pre-Roman civilisation centred in central Italy, saw auditory experiences such as bird calls, thunder, and music as prophetic in nature and yet, Etruscan soundscapes are largely understood today from visual perspectives. Hence, these landscapes survive in silence, as muted reminders of a now extinct society's former prowess and notably, its well-documented connection to sonic experience.
This project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust (2025-2028) investigates how sound may have informed the designation and continuity of Etruscan landscapes. The aim is to not only investigate the role that ancient soundscapes served in the ancient world, but to also consider how ancient soundscapes can play an important role in fostering cultural engagement today while also enhancing climate resilience efforts through direct sensory experience. This pioneering approach has the potential to reframe diverse ancient landscapes suffering from environmental decline as new sources of cultural identity, cohesiveness, and well-being.
Climate Change
Climate change significantly threatens ancient landscapes, particularly those in southern Mediterranean contexts more critically affected by extreme weather phenomena. Landslide risk, wildfires, and flooding typify climate related changes affecting central Italian ancient landscapes:
Landslide risks affecting modern central Italy
1a. Ancient Etruria outlined in black. 1b. Map of Etruscan urban and rural settlements with study sites highlighted in green (funerary landscapes) and orange (sanctuary landscapes).
