How does science explain it? They say it is a peculiar phenomenon of sound resonance. This is how they unravel the paranormal fame of a cave in Finland. Koli National Park is home to a famous 34 meter long cave. It is known as Pirunkirkko, or Devil’s Church in English.
In folklore, this crevice was known as a place where they contacted the spirit world. Even today, the place is visited by practitioners of shamanism. Researchers Riitta Rainio and Elina Hytönen-Ng analyzed the acoustics of the cave. They believe it would explain the beliefs associated with it. And why it was chosen as a place for activities and rituals related to sound.
long sounds
The cave hosts a distinctive resonance phenomenon that amplifies and lengthens sound at a specific frequency. In historical archives there is talk of wise men like Kinolainen, who used the Devil’s Church for magical rituals. «He took his patients to ‘church’ to talk to the devil about the causes and cures of his ailments. “This type of healing ritual often included loud shouting, stomping, gunshots, and hitting.” Rainio says this in a statement summarizing the traditional records.
Today, shamans practice drum rituals there. It was shown that the cave shows a strong resonance phenomenon. It is caused by a standing wave between the smooth, parallel walls, which generates a tone at the cave’s natural frequency, 231 Hz. It remains audible for about a second after sharp impulses, such as clapping, drumming, or loud banging.
magic acoustics
It can be assumed that resonance was an exceptional sound phenomenon for the inhabitants of the region centuries ago. Similar distinct resonances have been measured in the natural environment. For example, in Paleolithic caves in France and Spain. They occur especially near paintings on cave walls.
The paranormal fame of a cave in Finland is a matter of perspective. The effect of this resonance may have been subtle and unconscious. But it must have significantly shaped the beliefs and experiences associated with the cave. «An acoustics researcher calls it resonance. But people of the past may have felt the presence of a spirit. And a shaman finds an exceptional energy, each according to his origin.
