Cited by 30Sound Studies and AuralityLanguage and cultural evolutionAnimal Vocal Communication and Behavior

The Acoustic and Auditory Contexts of Human Behavior

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Blake, Elizabeth C., Cross, Ian·2015·Current Anthropology

Abstract

Sound is a crucial component of the human communicative toolkit; however, as a topic of research, it has been relatively neglected in archaeological method and theory. We propose that a framework requires to be developed in which inferences can be made about the significance of sound in the past that are not bounded by the particularities of current cultural contexts. Such a framework should be multidisciplinary and draw on what is known scientifically about human sensitivities to and uses of sound, including nonverbal vocalizations, speech and music, ethological studies that offer insight into how sound perception and environment affect sociality and survival, and the effects of environment on socially significant human sound.

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Authors
Blake, E. C., & Cross, I.
Affiliations
University of Cambridge (GB)
Venue
Current Anthropology
Published
2015-02
Volume
56
Issue
1
Pages
81-103
ISSN
  • 0011-3204 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-5382
OpenAlex
W2054851450
Cited by
30
References
213
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1
FWCI
2.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
public-domain
Locations
  • Current Anthropology (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sound Studies and Aurality
  • Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Language and cultural evolution
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology › Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
Keywords
sound archaeology, acoustic environment, auditory perception, nonverbal vocalizations, speech, ethology, sociality, human behavior

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