Recent research conducted by archaeologists at Curtin University and Sheffield Hallam University indicates that Neolithic communities, rather than glaciers, were responsible for transporting Stonehenge’s iconic six-tonne sandstone Altar Stone from north-eastern Scotland to Salisbury Plain.
Stonehenge. Image credit: Sally Wilson.
Curtin University researcher Dr. Anthony Clarke stated, “Our findings indicate that transporting the Altar Stone involved meticulous planning over multiple stages.”
“Instead of being carried naturally by ice, our evidence points to a calculated movement across various challenging terrains.”
“Our simulations suggest that during the last Ice Age, while glaciers might have transported rocks to Dogger Bank in the North Sea, they did not reach southern England. Therefore, prehistoric people had to move the stones hundreds of kilometers manually.”
“This study reveals no feasible glacier route connecting the source area to Stonehenge, thus confirming the necessity of human transport.”
“This implies that the stones may have been transported in stages, potentially utilizing a combination of land and water transport methods.”
The research incorporated mineral dating, geological provenance analysis, and computer simulations of ancient ice sheet movements to understand how the Altar Stones came to rest on Salisbury Plain.
The team initially identified the stone source in north-eastern Scotland by analyzing its mineral composition and age.
They then modeled the behavior of ancient glaciers and found evidence suggesting that the ice may have carried the stones southeast to Dogger Bank, currently submerged in the North Sea.
From these findings, the research team proposed that prehistoric peoples may have retrieved the stone from Dogger Bank, transported it to Salisbury Plain, and ultimately integrated it into the construction of Stonehenge.
“This discovery highlights an impressive level of organization and collaboration among Neolithic communities,” Dr. Clarke remarked.
“Transporting large stones over extensive distances would have required intricate planning, coordination, and a profound understanding of the landscape, along with significant determination.”
“Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining geological analysis and computer modeling to address enduring questions about the construction of Stonehenge.”
“Future research intends to pinpoint the exact origin of the Altar Stone in north-eastern Scotland and further explore potential transport routes utilized by prehistoric peoples.”
The results will be published in today’s Quaternary Science Journal.
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Anthony JI Clarke et al. From the Highlands to the Henge: Elucidating the Source and Transport Routes of Stonehenge’s Altar Stones. Quaternary Science Journal, published online June 4, 2026. doi: 10.1002/jqs.70080
Source: www.sci.news
