Effects of the Aztec Death Whistle on the Human Brain

unknown - A study reveals the chilling impact of the Aztec Death Whistle sound on the human brain, resembling a scream.

A recent study investigated the impact of the Aztec Death Whistle sound on the human brain, likening it to a scream. The Aztec flutes were believed to have been used in religious sacrifice rituals. Rumors suggest that the Meso-American civilization also used the eerie sound to intimidate enemies during wars, although this has never been proven with archaeological evidence.

Swiss and Norwegian researchers conducted an experiment with European volunteers to analyze different interpretations of sounds, including whistling. The volunteers were unaware of the sounds they would hear. Most participants described the death whistle sound as aversive and scary, leading to unsettling feelings due to the blend of natural and artificial elements. The brain's response to such sounds activates the auditory cortical areas, similar to screams or crying babies.

Associating the death whistles with alarming sounds like sirens and human expressions of fear, anger, and sadness, the researchers concluded that the use of such instruments in ritualistic contexts, especially sacrificial ceremonies, is highly probable based on the symbolic and frightening nature of the sound.