The Past Has Ears

The Past Has Ears is a portal to research on Cultural Heritage of Acoustics, focusing on room acoustics and soundscape.

This site currently hosts 2 projects:

• the European PHE project, the namesake at the origin of this project
• the French project PHEND, an extension to certain aspects of the PHE project

Thee 2 projects are inspired by the concept of the mythical phoenix, represented by the constellation phe, and the detrimental fires which have ravaged various historical sites having an acoustics of importance. These projects rely on the use of virtual reality and simulations to study and experience the acoustics of historical sites. The projects also represent a collaborative effort between social/human science researchers and acoustic/information technology researchers, to the benefit of all disciplines.

EU JPI-CH PHE : The Past Has Ears (2020-2023)

PHE is a collaborative research project. Partners in the project include researchers from a wide range of disciplines focusing on room acoustics as an important aspect of cultural heritage. Funding has been provided by the EU JPI Cultural Heritage project PHE.

For more information, follow the PHE link.

ANR PHEND : The Past Has Ears at Notre Dame (2020-2024)

PHEND is a French collaborative research project funded by the ANR. Partners in the project include researchers from a wide range of disciplines, all with an interest in the sonic history of the Notre-Dame cathedral.

• Institut Jean Le Rond d'Alembert, Sorbonne Université, Paris
• Centre André Chastel (CAC) : Laboratoire de recherche en histoire de l'art, Sorbonne Université, Paris
• Institut de recherche en Musicologie (IReMus) , Sorbonne Université, Paris
• Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (MSH) Lyon St-Etienne, Lyon
• Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP), SACRe (Sciences, arts, création, recherche), Paris
• Sunmetron, Agence d'architecture présentant des compétences en création, réhabilitation et restauration d'édifices, Paris
• Narrative, Producteur pour les nouveaux médias, Paris

When we think about great architectural achievements in history, such as Gothic cathedrals, their importance is strongly tied to their acoustic environment. The acoustics of a heritage site is an intangible consequence of the space’s tangible construction and furnishings. It is ephemeral, while also a concrete result of the physical nature of the environment. Through this project, we will explore how via measurements, research, and virtual reconstructions the acoustics of one of France’s most notable heritage spaces can be documented, reconstructed, and experienced by both researchers and the general public. Inspired by the project’s namesake (Phé, for the constellation Phoenix), the project focuses on the digital reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, a world heritage site, bringing it back from the ashes, examining its evolution and importance in history, and working with the restoration team on its future. The consortium comprises research teams in SHS and STIC, with experience in historical, musical, architectural, and acoustical research.