Stonehenge holds many secrets, including the mystery of the “altar stone” near its center. This stone, part of a group of bluestones, has puzzled researchers for over a century. Although some of the bluestones came from neighboring areas, the altar stone’s origin remains shrouded in mystery.
The altar stone is a massive rectangular block, much larger than the other bluestones. Geoscientists, led by Richard Bevins of Aberystwyth University, have been trying to determine its origin. Where this stone came from may reveal the ancient groups that contributed to Stonehenge and provide insight into the Neolithic period.
Recent efforts to analyze the altar stone’s chemical composition using X-rays have revealed high concentrations of barium, a surprising discovery that didn’t match the Welsh rock that was previously thought to be its source. Following this, the research team collected 58 samples from a wide area of England and Wales, but none of them matched the mineral composition of the altar stone.
Future research will seek to explore newer origins of stones to uncover the mystery of the altar stone. Understanding its origin will shed light on the people who lived during the construction of Stonehenge. The team will report its findings in October 2023.
Data dive:
- Look at the seven samples from the altar stone. How do the mineral compositions of these samples compare to each other?
- What are the most common minerals in these samples? What is the percentage range, or spread, of those minerals?
- What other minerals are found in the altar stone?
- How do the four old red sandstone samples compare to the altar stone samples?
- What do these samples have in common with altar stones?
- Which of the old red sandstone samples is most similar to the altar stone? Which one looks the most different?
Source: www.snexplores.org
