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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe horrifying sound of an Aztec Death Whistle will make your skin crawl
For decades, archaeologists thought the ancient Aztec Death Whistles were nothing more than disturbing skull-shaped toys for Aztec children. They studied how they looked, how they were made, and where they were found. But nobody thought to blow into one. When they did, they found that the disquietingly-decorated skull-shaped clay objects made a spine-chilling noise described by one archaeologist as the scream of a thousand corpses. Yeah, theyre that creepy.
The ancient Aztec Death Whistle is typically shaped like or decorated as a human skull. They were first associated with Aztec death rituals after two samples were found in the skeletal hands of a sacrificed 20-year-old male in a temple at Tlatelolco. Scientists are unsure what they were used for but some believe they were used in the sacrifices of slaves, possibly as a signal to begin pulling their hair out (one of the earlier steps of the sacrificial process). Others think they may have been used to create a battle cry to frighten enemies.
2naSalit
(86,646 posts)a death rattle.. the sound of one's last exhaled breath.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Vattel
(9,289 posts)One in 28 Americans do.
2naSalit
(86,646 posts)I've heard of apnea, is it like that?
I have heard authentic death rattle before and it's a harsh feeling that goes through you when that happens. I can't imagine having a condition that makes such a sound regularly.
I'm kind of confused, what is this condition and is there any therapy for it?
Vattel
(9,289 posts)2naSalit
(86,646 posts)I've never heard of it. The good part is that the best therapy is truth telling!
Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)a toilet flushing, or
an old vacuum cleaner,
an espresso machine, or
the nondescript white noise of someone trying to play a flute for the first time.
Whatever it is, nobody will be rushing to write a concerto for orchestra and Aztec death whistle.
sdfernando
(4,935 posts)I think maybe John Cage could to it....or maybe an arrangement of his 4'33" for Aztec Death Whistle.
Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)the performance could be scheduled for a windy day and the death whistle player could just stay home.
BTW: Of all the various recording I have of 4'33" I like the computer generated one the best. It has a purity that can't be reproduced in live recording. (snicker)
sdfernando
(4,935 posts)You lose some much of the essence of the music....even with 4'33"...give me a good vinyl LP any day!
Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)Give me a Bakelite 78 any day.
sdfernando
(4,935 posts)An Edison cylinder!
Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)Big deal. My dogs farts are worse...
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)2naSalit
(86,646 posts)Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)I wouldn't link to such a vile thing.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)I once heard part of Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music."
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Can I steal that and post it in Reddit?
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)Another great opportunity missed.
Vattel
(9,289 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)uppityperson
(115,677 posts)pipi_k
(21,020 posts)`I give that song a 7
It's a catchy tune and easy to dance to.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Savannahmann
(3,891 posts)We were siting around the campfire. The truck parked not too far away. My friend decided to see who could be scared. He asked if we would freak out if we heard soft light footsteps in the dark. I said no. He asked if giant bigfoot type steps would freak me out. I again said no. He asked what would freak me out.
I answered with this sound.
I was informed that if that sound was heard, my good and dear friend would back the truck over me with wheels spinning as he made good his escape.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)fiddodiddo
(26 posts)They don't let you decide whether your skin crawls. They assure you it will.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)fiddodiddo
(26 posts)Criticizing the linkbait in this thread wouldn't be possible without entering the thread.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)They could go on tour with Aztec Camera.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)Azt3c have goats?