New descriptors for capturing perceptions within historic soundscapes

As soundscape research continues to develop its approach, the unique contextual conditions present in historic locations are becoming more apparent, such as the difference in perception while visiting a park versus an historic battlefield. Soundscapes themselves can be identified as having historic components or overarching sonic contours that bear historic continuity through time. However, the standard practices for soundscape investigation, such as those laid out by ISO/TS 12913-2, do not explicitly incorporate research protocols that can manage the particular responses evoked by historic environments. Using recent soundscape research at the Berlin Wall Memorial, this paper examines the complexities presented by historical sites and how sound enriches one’s experiences of them. The results of the study, which uses the soundwalk method, offer two new terms for considered addition to the current soundscape measurement protocols for historic settings in particular: “significance” and “meaning”. The general value of these terms for investigating historic soundscapes will be discussed.