Researchers have successfully reproduced the unique acoustic effect that creates the chirping reverberations heard at the Kukulkan pyramid. The study detailing these findings was published in Physics Education.
The Kukulkan Pyramid, an ancient Mayan temple perched in Chichen Itza, is not towering in height like the Giza pyramids. It rises about 24 meters and is celebrated for its architectural elegance and its distinctive acoustics. A simple hand clap at the base can trigger a reflected sound that resembles the quetzal bird, a sacred symbol in Maya culture.
Diego Arevalo and colleagues from the University of Antonio Nariño in Colombia analyzed amateur footage to replicate this phenomenon. Through computer processing, they demonstrated the sound as a series of reflections arising from each stair step of the temple. The effect emerges from the maze of sound reflections bouncing off the stairs. Each step returns the same audio signal with a slight delay, averaging around two milliseconds between reflections, which helps produce the chirping effect.
Experts describe the effect as a sequence of echoes that form a continuous spectrum. Each reflection shifts the waveform ever so slightly, creating a rapid series of clicks that give the sensation of a chirp. The replication process included modeling the waves as they folded through the staircase, with simulations echoing the complex interplay of acoustics across roughly 30 successive reflections, a nod to the original observations captured with straightforward recording software.
Earlier explorations by zoologists touched on environmental influences in related wildlife studies, noting that certain animal behaviors respond to light and moisture cues in ways that affect how sound travels and is perceived in natural settings. These cross-disciplinary insights help frame how acoustics interact with surface geometry and ambient conditions in man-made spaces.
In sum, the latest work confirms that the Kukulkan phenomenon arises from structured, multi-stage reflections within a stepped stone facade. The timing between reflections is precise enough to craft a distinctive auditory texture, one that resonates with visitors and researchers alike.