The documentation of archaeoacoustics identity of Sultan-Barquq complex

Abstract

Sultan-Barquq complex is considered to be the most compact and unified Islamic Mamluk monuments in Cairo. In addition to its main function as a place of prayer, its design allows separate schools for teaching the four Sunni rites. Both functions are concerned with the importance of acoustical perception and intelligibility of speech, as the most important characteristic of the archaeoacoustics identity of the worship spaces. This study aims to obtain documentation for the acoustical identification (ID) of the mausoleum at Sultan-Barquq Complex. The acoustical ID explains the acoustic features in relation to form and texture. By comparing the criteria of good acoustics with spatial requirements and design guidelines, the scientific interpretation could be obtained. The acoustical environment within Sultan-Barquq mausoleum has been investigated and examined through field measurements and room simulations using Odeon. Measurements showed a high reverberation time and echoes at some of the examined points. The interpretations of these measurements give the features of the archaeoacoustics identity (acoustical ID) of Sultan-Barquq mausoleum.

Keywords

• Mamluk Mosque
• Archaeoacoustic Identity
• Documentation
• Acoustical ID