The horrifying sound of an Aztec Death Whistle will make your skin crawl

[Fantastic Anarchist]

For decades, archaeologists thought the ancient Aztec Death Whistles were nothing more than disturbing skull-shaped toys for Aztec children. They studied how they looked, how they were made, and where they were found. But nobody thought to blow into one. When they did, they found that the disquietingly-decorated skull-shaped clay objects made a spine-chilling noise described by one archaeologist as “the scream of a thousand corpses”. Yeah, they’re that creepy.

The ancient Aztec Death Whistle is typically shaped like or decorated as a human skull. They were first associated with Aztec death rituals after two samples were found in the skeletal hands of a sacrificed 20-year-old male in a temple at Tlatelolco. Scientists are unsure what they were used for but some believe they were used in the sacrifices of slaves, possibly as a signal to begin pulling their hair out (one of the earlier steps of the sacrificial process). Others think they may have been used to create a “battle cry” to frighten enemies.

[2naSalit]

1. To me it sounds like

a death rattle.. the sound of one's last exhaled breath.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

3. x 10000

[Vattel]

17. I suffer from PDR (premature death rattle).

One in 28 Americans do.

[2naSalit]

20. That's kind of spooky.

I've heard of apnea, is it like that?

I have heard authentic death rattle before and it's a harsh feeling that goes through you when that happens. I can't imagine having a condition that makes such a sound regularly.

I'm kind of confused, what is this condition and is there any therapy for it?

[Vattel]

21. Actually I just made it up. It sounds kinda funny to me.

[2naSalit]

22. Guess that's why

I've never heard of it. The good part is that the best therapy is truth telling!

[Binkie The Clown]

2. Sounds like a steam locomotive, or

a toilet flushing, or
an old vacuum cleaner,
an espresso machine, or
the nondescript white noise of someone trying to play a flute for the first time.

Whatever it is, nobody will be rushing to write a concerto for orchestra and Aztec death whistle.

[sdfernando]

28. I wouldn't say that.

I think maybe John Cage could to it....or maybe an arrangement of his 4'33" for Aztec Death Whistle.

[Binkie The Clown]

30. You're right, but

the performance could be scheduled for a windy day and the death whistle player could just stay home.

BTW: Of all the various recording I have of 4'33" I like the computer generated one the best. It has a purity that can't be reproduced in live recording. (snicker)

[sdfernando]

31. Digial recording sucks!

You lose some much of the essence of the music....even with 4'33"...give me a good vinyl LP any day!

[Binkie The Clown]

32. Nah. Vinyl 33's are for sissies.

Give me a Bakelite 78 any day.

[sdfernando]

33. Better yet

An Edison cylinder!

[Binkie The Clown]

36. Ah, that brings back past life memories.

[closeupready]

4. Not really so scary, IMO. Just sounds like someone blowing through a tube.

[greytdemocrat]

13. I know

Big deal. My dogs farts are worse...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Not as much as hearing Sarah Palin speak. Or, George Dubya attempt to speak.

[2naSalit]

6. I second that!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

7. Please, I'm not a barbarian.

I wouldn't link to such a vile thing.

[hifiguy]

8. I've heard scarier.

I once heard part of Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music."

[Comrade Grumpy]

10. I needed therapy after that.

[Comrade Grumpy]

9. That's a great name for a band: Aztec Death Whistle

[Fantastic Anarchist]

11. Holy shit!

Can I steal that and post it in Reddit?

[hifiguy]

12. Damn! You're right and I am too late.

Another great opportunity missed.

[Vattel]

23. wow, you nailed that one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. You see what they look like, here

http://tinyurl.com/lvqfot4

[uppityperson]

15. Sounds like a crowd cheering at a distant sports stadium.

[pipi_k]

16. Well, Dick...-

`I give that song a 7

It's a catchy tune and easy to dance to.

[Blue_Tires]

18. Sounds like my asthma attacks as a kid...

[Savannahmann]

19. I went camping with some friends many ago.

We were siting around the campfire. The truck parked not too far away. My friend decided to see who could be scared. He asked if we would freak out if we heard soft light footsteps in the dark. I said no. He asked if giant bigfoot type steps would freak me out. I again said no. He asked what would freak me out.

I answered with this sound.

I was informed that if that sound was heard, my good and dear friend would back the truck over me with wheels spinning as he made good his escape.

[JaneyVee]

24. Imagine the sound of thousands of them at the same time.

[hifiguy]

35. That would be very creepy indeed.

[fiddodiddo]

25. I hate linkbait

They don't let you decide whether your skin crawls. They assure you it will.

[arcane1]

29. You clicked!

[fiddodiddo]

34. I clicked on the thread title

Criticizing the linkbait in this thread wouldn't be possible without entering the thread.

[Arugula Latte]

26. On the bright side, Aztec Death Whistle would be a good name for a band.

They could go on tour with Aztec Camera.

[AngryAmish]

27. Sounds like a screaming goat.

Azt3c have goats?