How did dinosaurs sound? Researcher builds 3D model aiming to find out

In an effort to resurrect the sounds of prehistoric life, researchers from New York University developed a three-dimensional model aiming to recreate the vocalizations of the duck-billed dinosaur Parasaurolophus.

The Parasaurolophus, a giant herbivorous dinosaur that inhabited Earth approximately 70 to 80 million years ago, is renowned for its distinctive tube-shaped crest. This crest has baffled paleontologists for years regarding its function, sparking numerous theories including its potential use as a resonance chamber to amplify vocalizations.

Driven by a passion for giant animals since childhood, researcher Hongjun Lin was inspired to explore how dinosaurs might have truly sounded. This fascination led him to create a unique pipe-like instrument called the "Linophone," designed to mirror the hollow chambers within the Parasaurolophus crest. Interesting Engineering describes the Linophone as tubes arranged to imitate the crest's structure, functioning as a simplified but functional prototype inspired by modern resonance chambers like those used in musical instruments.

Lin's innovative approach combines acoustic analysis and 3D printing. Initial experiments indicate the crest amplifies low frequencies between 581 Hz and 1,056 Hz, aligning with previous paleontological studies suggesting the Parasaurolophus produced very deep calls. The Linophone serves as a physical representation of a mathematical model, allowing researchers to visualize and test the acoustic principles at play.

"I wanted something simplified and accessible both for modeling and for building a physical device," Lin explained, according to Popular Science. Despite not being an exact replica of the dinosaur's crest, the Linophone provides a solid foundation for future research.

Lin's ultimate goal extends beyond scientific inquiry. According to Interesting Engineering, he stated, "My ultimate goal is to recreate the sound of Parasaurolophus and allow others to explore it too." He is planning to create an accessible plug-in for people to experiment with and even add dinosaur sounds to music.

The Parasaurolophus stood around 16 feet tall (approximately 4.9 meters) and is estimated to have weighed between 6,000 to 8,000 pounds (2,700 to 3,600 kilograms). The impressive hollow crest, similar to an intricate system of tubes, has sparked numerous theories regarding its function. One of the most plausible ideas is that it served as a resonance chamber to amplify the dinosaur's vocalizations, potentially facilitating long-distance communication.

Although the Linophone does not allow us to hear exactly how Parasaurolophus "sang," it lays the groundwork for future discoveries.

Lin is planning to create a plugin that will allow artists to incorporate the sounds of the Parasaurolophus into their music.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq