Music Archaeology in the United States - Case Study Example

Music Archaeology in the United s Introduction In ancient or prehistoric periods the term music was defined differently by different people. Terms like religion, dance or cult were used to refer to it. As part of prehistoric studies, music archaeology refers to a study carried out to understand ancient musical sounds and behaviors. In the United States, music archaeology has been studied by looking at the past music cultures and other related relationships. Many researchers have tried to look at what music archaeology entails and they do agree that it involves; excavated artifacts from ancient music, excavating sound producing instruments, musical scenarios and other related musical evidences (Morley, 42). Understanding of the United States music archaeological analysis will involve excavating and finding out cultural and contexts that explain the current and future happenings. In understanding of current music production, one needs to investigate and unearth some of the early musical notations and literary sources. This study will seek answers to: what archaeological music findings were found in United States? And which are some of the contribution of music archaeological findings on culture, society, individuals, politics and current events in United States? Literature empirical review Music archaeology in the United States in the last few years has been expanded to include other studies like biological and psychological studies. The studies are used to explore the beginnings of current or ancient sound production, and how man evolved to understand and use music. Archaeologists have found that newly published articles, theoretical writings, iconographic sources of prehistoric music provide support to excavated artifacts in explaining some of the U.S unnoticed vanished music cultures. The use of current ethnographic analogies on contemporary society’s music helps in discovering some of the ancient traditions that were used in producing music (Morley, 45). The use of music psychology and anthropology has provided good literature to support the analogy of the presence of music in the United States culture and society. Archaeologists in the United States have found the University of Music cultures; all societies have their music conforming to a type of meter or pulse (having two to four pitches). One notable characteristics of the United States ancient music was the use of rhythm that was used and produced by either striking the body, by clapping or foot stamping, or in other cases producing sounds from striking objects. The review in summary indicated that ancient musical behaviors among humans consisted of encoding of sounds into pitches. An example of archeological music site found in United States is County Hall of Fame containing numerous musical artifacts (Okwui E & Markus M, 134). There are supporting evidences of music artifacts found after the upper Paleolithic; there are a number of examples in United States of sound producing objects mostly bones. The most commonly found sound producing object are in form of flutes. These objects do provide a clue to the nature, type and music produced. Archaeologists have since proposed that the use of stone tools and bone like objects led to melodic sound production during the early stages in United States. The notable fact was the finding of sound objects in hidden caves. This formed part of cave art for a long period of time. The location of such sound objects in caves indicated how caves provide a supporting sound producing ability (Morley, 42). In the United States, the clue on whether music in ancient states was a group or solitary music was answered by 20,000 year old bones known as ‘orchestra’ found in human settlements. The place was open and owned communicably rather than a hidden dwelling. This indicated or proved that music was supposed to be heard openly and not to be performed privately by individuals. The finding of such mammoth was an indication that the bones were readily available raw materials used for sound object instruments. Some evidences dating around 30,000 years in Europe and especially in United States indicate the sophistication of musical instruments in design. These evidences prove the existence of technological knowledge. In some of the archaeological sites in the United States, the idea of rock and rock formations were used in making musical sounds as echoes were used to create sounds. Hidden caves with big stones provided echoes, which ancient individuals found more calming especially when faced problems to be solved. Other American Indian findings were known as singing stones resulting from echoes. Traditionally, these stones were believed to have magical properties in sound production. The production of music in caves was a group activity that involves all members of society (Hickmann, 38). Limitation of archeological music findings Archaeologists have argued that they have lost valuable data on music artifacts because of lack of preservation. Majority of musical flutes made from wood decomposes easily compared to stone or bone flute. During the middle and lower Paleolithic periods, majority of the musical instruments were made from biodegradable matter. This means that in the United States, no musical objects or artifacts were found during and after the upper Paleolithic period. The definition of music according to archaeologists is different as it can focus on investigation of related musical sounds, while others refer to investigation of ancient artifacts or objects. The two definitions have become an impediment in the archeological studies (Morley, 44). One of the limitations of music archaeology is proving or providing explanations of whether ancient music was done communicably or personally. Most of the musical artifacts were found in solitary caves and not in open settlements. Open settlements would prove the existence of music at community gatherings and ceremonies, while solitary caves would prove personal hiding places. More so, archaeology is not an independent discipline as it relies heavily on other subjects, which has lead to its lack of identity. Moreover, archaeologists are facing problems resulting from stolen artifacts such as lack of trust in their work since they have no evidence to prove on their findings on past events and objects. Lack of representative or complete artifacts is another problem faced by archaeologists. A few or a representative part of artifacts are excavated but is not sufficient enough to make any clarification or conclusions (Shankland, 13). As a result, incomplete information becomes a limitation in making inferences. Penultimate, In the United States, archaeologists have been able to excavate a few of musical instruments and objects in few archaeological sites. The information from these few sites cannot provide notable valid conclusion on a society’s cultures. Lastly, archaeological studies are based on dating process which tries to approximate past ages of found artifacts. Historians and researchers view dating as inaccurate as it does not give the required accurate ages expected (Morley, 45). The Role of ancient archaeological music The information derived from music archaeology can be used well in explaining societies and their past cultures, behaviors and activities. The musical instruments have provided information in explaining the economic and social life of the ancient people. Most of the instruments that were found were from extracts from plants residues which meant that ancient people were gatherers or small farmers. Archaeologists have derived relationship between artifacts found and customs and economic factors. The use of musical instruments in ancient society did explain the use of music, certain type of instrumentation were used during hunting to lure animals to be killed, while other were used to scare animals ( Hickman, 40). A notable contribution of archaeological studies is how ancient individuals would see evidence for instrumentations as soon as humans participated in musical behavior. This shows that the musical behavior of ancient individual was accompanied by instruments; they are independent of each other. This is manifested in modern culture where more music is accompanied during a singing session. Politically, the use of musical instrument was used to bring a social organization, during announcement of critical messages; the musical instruments were used to call or assemble individuals (Shankland, 13). The plain Indians who were part of Native American contained music which its melody was preceding at any one time, most of these songs were mostly sung vocally and instrumentation was not used. Few cases are where music accompanied instrumentation like drums, rattles. Majority of instruments used include those that their bodies are vibrated to provide the required sound. The American Indians measured their music on how simple it would evoke any supernatural influence, and how it would be utilized in social and ceremonial events. The modern use of music in social and ceremonial events is a simple illustration borrowed from Native American Indians. Indians were fond of dancing during its musical events, an example of social dancing in religious activities (Shankland, 14). The degree of symbolism in musical related activities was not left behind among ancient societies in United States; songs were composed to have hidden meanings or messages. An example is ancient American songs sung to warn children of their negative behaviors. Songs were composed using symbolism e.g. the use of flying heads referring to half woman and half bird was used to scare children and provide warnings. In the United States there is direct relationship between language spoken and musical songs sung. In ancient societies communication was based on songs sung as people would pass whatever message they were wishing to portray using songs. Knowledge that archaeologists can derive from non-literate cultures come from their songs, sayings and poems (Errico, 14). In addition, one notable fact among archaeological artifacts found in United States is the relationship between art and musical instruments. Both musical artifacts excavated were designed using differential arts. Musical instruments contained inscriptions, marks or symbols drawn on them. This was an indication of how art was valued by ancient communities. Conclusion It is rather a humbling experiencing in understanding how music and musical instruments began and were developed to their current forms. Such information lies largely on the scientific analysis of the artifacts unearthed by archaeologists. Music archaeology provides an avenue by which this information is to a greater degree generated. and states, and this demands a lot of attention from the modern American society. Through this we are able to learn and appreciate how music was done in the past and to a greater extent shape future developments in this big industry. Music archeology however, is an area that has been forgotten by archaeologists for long period of time. Artifacts found have been associated with other disciplines and subjects for example, the origin of man or history of a tribe. Notably though, not much contribution is linked to music archeology. Understanding of the United States music archaeological analysis will involve excavating music artifacts and finding out cultural and contexts that explain the advent or rather the origin of music and musical instruments. More so, contributions on various musical artifacts and instrumentation are useful in shaping not just the music industry but also the current United States politics and culture. Works cited Errico Francesco. Archaeological Evidence for the Emergence of Language, Symbolism, and Music an Alternative Multidisciplinary Perspective: Journal of World Prehistory, Vol. 17, No. 1, March 2003: pp.10-70. Hickmann Ellen. Musical archaeology in context: Archaeological semantics, historical implications, cultural connotations: International study group on music archaeology, 2006, Vol.5 pp. 34-471. Morley Iain. The evolutionary origins and archaeology of music: Darwin college report 2013, vol.2, pp.1-277. Morley Iain. The prehistory of music: human evolution, archaeology and the origins of musicality: Oxford University press, 2013 vol2, pp. 2-12. Okwui E & Markus M. Cultural archaeology: New York: US: Prestel, 2012 pp. 23-303. Shankland David. Archaeology and anthropology: past, present and future. New York: US, 2013 Bloombury, pp.13-56. Read More