Ancient Aztec death whistle still terrifies people today, study finds — and you can listen if you’re brave enough By Ben Cost Published Nov. 19, 2024, 10:22 a.m. ET ...

Many ancient cultures used musical instruments in ritual ceremonies. Ancient Aztec communities from the pre-Columbian period of Mesoamerica had a rich mythological codex that was also part of ...

More information: Sascha Frühholz et al, Psychoacoustic and Archeoacoustic nature of ancient Aztec skull whistles, Communications Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00157-7 ...

Putting the "psycho" in acoustics Why Aztec “death whistles” sound like human screams The basic mechanism relies on the Venturi effect, producing a unique rough and piercing sound.

The tragic flute. Scientists sent shivers down the internet's collective spine after recreating an ancient Aztec "death whistle" that's said to emit the "most terrifying sound in the world." ...

Swiss and Norwegian neuroscientists have discovered that the ancient Aztec death whistle — often credited with emitting the scariest sound on earth — still terrifies people today due to a ...

The skull-shaped body of the Aztec death whistle may represent Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec Lord of the Underworld. (Bild: Sascha Frühholz, UZH) view more Credit: Sascha Frühholz ...