Deep listening the ancient fora of Pompeii, Rome, and Ostia

Abstract

This paper introduces and develops a listening method based on Deep Listening, a practice and a pedagogy of listening invented by American composer Pauline Oliveros. The method is applied in sensory archeology, in which approaches that use researchers’ bodily experiences to convey information about past sensations have become more sought-after. The fieldwork is conducted in three ancient fora (central squares) in Pompeii, Rome, and Ostia. These sites were the focal points of ancient civic life and today are important cultural heritage sites and popular tourist attractions. Our listening ethnography shows why aural inspection is necessary for a holistic understanding of ancient built environments and the materiality of acoustics. The application of Deep Listening in archeology alone shows why it is important to develop methods for listening ethnography and to promote better understanding of listening as a tool of observation.