Did Ancient Engineers Play With Echoes?

        If you stand at the base of the Maya pyramid of Kukulkan, below one
        of its four staircases, and clap your hands, the echo that bounces
        back sounds uncannily similar to the call of the quetzal, a brightly
        colored tropical bird considered sacred by the Maya.

        Acoustic consultant David Lubman is convinced that this is no
        coincidence. The specific design of the staircases - a repetitive series
        of risers at regular intervals - and the sound-reflecting stone used in
        their construction combine to create unusual acoustic effects.

        "This phenomenon was understood by the ancient
        Maya and incorporated into the pyramid's
        construction," Lubman said after visiting the site.

        Lubman went to Chichén Itzá last January to
        investigate the phenomenon at the spectacular
        pyramid after seeing descriptions of unusual echoes
        reverberating off the structure. To hear for yourself,
        visit: http://www.ocasa.org/MayanPyramid.htm.

        DK