Which materials were commonly used in early interiors to attempt echo control by absorbing reflections internally?
Answer
Heavy draperies, thick tapestries, and layers of carpets.
As building construction shifted away from purely massive stone and timber structures toward more complex interiors, the problem of internal echo control became more pronounced. To manage these reflections, inhabitants utilized readily available, softer organic materials. Heavy textiles such as draperies and tapestries hung on walls, along with thick carpets covering floors, served to absorb some of the sound energy bouncing around the room. While these methods were often relatively ineffective compared to modern treatments, they represented the first widespread attempts at internal sound dampening using soft furnishings.
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