How the inhabitants of Pallars Jussà communicated a millennium ago has been the subject of a pioneering study. The research, led by archaeologist Paula Melero, a collaborator with the University of Barcelona, has successfully reconstructed the acoustic network of the Barcedana Valley during the 10th and 12th centuries.
The study concludes that the use of medieval horns was fundamental for sending warnings and understandable messages over distances exceeding three kilometers. This capability was key to ensuring security and effectively managing the territory in that era.
The project was based on previous visibility analyses and archaeological surveys of the terrain. To verify the system's functionality, researchers conducted practical sound transmission tests from 17 strategic points in the valley, including emblematic sites like Castelló Sobirà de Sant Gervàs, the church of Sant Andreu de Llimiana, and Montllor Castle.
During the tests, various materials were analyzed, such as cow horn horns, ceramic horns (some with a glazed finish), and metal models like the anafil, more common in urban contexts. The results were revealing: the cow horn, more accessible to the general population, covered similar distances to the ceramic one.
The main difference lay in the emitted tones. The ceramic and horn horns produced distinct timbres, allowing the receiver to clearly identify the sender. The cow horn is associated with livestock farming and transhumance, while the ceramic horn might have had a more institutional or military use.
Although visual communication could cover greater distances, researchers suggest that the combination of both systems created a robust and effective security network. This research highlights the sophistication of medieval communication and the historical cohesion of the Barcedana Valley.
