Proceedings of the 11th Convention of the
European Acoustics Association
Forum Acusticum / EuroNoise 2025


Málaga, Spain
June 23 - 26, 2025





Session: A15.04/A24.06 Virtual reconstructions in archaeoacoustic research
Date: Wednesday 25 June 2025
Time: 18:40
Title: Measurement and Auralization of Paleoacoustics landscapes in Chauvet Cave
Author(s): Luna Valentin
Jonathan Abel
Jonathan Berger
Chris Chafe
John Chowning
Carole Fritz
Nima Farzaneh
Miriam Kolar
Romain Michon
Sara Martin
Peter Svensson
Matthew Wright
Pages: 3855-3864
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.61782/fa.2025.0546
PDF: https://dael.euracoustics.org/confs/fa2025/data/articles/000546.pdf
Conference proceedings
Abstract

This paper introduces an ongoing study towards acoustic reconstruction and auralization of Chauvet Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its 36,000-year-old prehistoric art. We outline methodological challenges, measurement constraints, and future directions in the development of auralization frameworks, towards the ultimate goal of recreating aspects of Chauvet’s Paleolithic acoustics. A key limitation is the restricted measurement area, as recordings are constrained to modern walkways, leaving large parts of the cave acoustically undocumented. Additionally, geomorphological changes over thousands of years have altered the cave’s structure, affecting how sound propagates today compared to its prehistoric conditions. We discuss how these factors shape data collection and acoustical modeling, highlighting the need for predictive simulations to extend beyond direct acoustical measurements. We briefly analyze impulse responses recorded with omnidirectional and Ambisonic microphones, providing insights into reverberation, clarity, and spatial distribution of reflections. These data inform auralization models that integrate various hypothetical sound sources while acknowledging inherent uncertainties.