The hypothesis that ancient civilizations used acoustic phenomena to manipulate massive stone blocks has persisted in popular discourse for three decades, yet no systematic quantitative assessment exists in the peer-reviewed literature. The review applies acoustic radiation pressure theory, the Storck–Thomsen–Popov vibration-friction framework, and Rayleigh modal analysis to blocks from 12 megalithic sites. Acoustic levitation is found to require 183–195 dB SPL—at or beyond the 194 dB theoretical air limit—ruling it out for all blocks heavier than approximately 2 kg. Airborne friction reduction fails by three orders of magnitude in particle velocity. The "110 Hz megalithic frequency" claim fails on physical grounds (97.9% of human-scale chambers possess a Rayleigh mode within ±10% of 110 Hz) and evidential grounds (a single 1996 study of six sites, unreplicated after 30 years, with methodology below current standards). A novel application is additionally presented of the Storck–Popov framework to direct mechanical vibration during stone transport, showing that coordinated rhythmic force at the contact interface can reduce effective friction by 20–50% with archaeologically plausible workforces, identifying a specific testable experimental gap at the intersection of tribology and archaeology.
Elliot Allan (Thu,) studied this question.