Sonic Heritage of Medieval Bells from the Valdres Region of Norway

Bells have long been a defining feature of Christian culture, shaping the soundscapes of medieval Europe. This article examines the sonic heritage of active medieval bells in the Valdres region of Norway. We analyze the tonal structure of bells from Slidredomen, Lomen, Hegge, Reinli, and Hedalen churches based on acoustic measurements taken during fieldwork in the summer of 2024. We collected acoustic data using a Sound Level Meter Cesva 202 and a Zoom H4n recorder, which we then used for tonal analysis of the bells with Wavanal software. The results revealed the distinctive voices of individual bells while highlighting tonal similarities among certain bells and patterns in bell selection within specific churches. Based on the study’s valuable insights into the sound character of medieval bells in Valdres, we discussed medieval bell tuning and the implications for the preservation of medieval church bells as sonic heritage.