Aztec Death Whistles: The Neuroscience Behind Ancient Ritual Fear
New research reveals how the haunting sounds of Aztec “death whistles” affect the brain, inducing fear and enhancing ritualistic impact.
Introduction: Echoes of the Aztec Past
The Aztec “death whistle,” a clay instrument often resembling a human skull, emits an unsettling scream-like sound capable of evoking terror. While its role in Aztec rituals and warfare has long intrigued archaeologists, recent research published in Communications Psychology1 explores its impact on the human brain. T…
