The 5-meter-long altar stone is mostly buried at the center of Stonehenge.
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Recent research into Stonehenge’s enigmatic altar stone suggests it may have originated from northeast Scotland, possibly carried south by glaciers. However, scientists argue that it’s more plausible humans transported this six-tonne stone.
This striking 5-meter-long monolith has been situated at the heart of Stonehenge’s worked rock ring for around 4,500 years, partially buried beneath two other stones.
In a 2024 study, researcher Anthony Clark and his team from Curtin University in Perth determined that the altar stone’s origins lie in northeastern Scotland, based on detailed rock chemistry analysis.
Clark notes, “The altar stone is sandstone—like crushed grains of sand on a beach. We can fingerprint the age and chemical makeup of these particles and compare them to other rocks across the UK and Ireland.”
The chemical profiles revealed a match with rocks from the Orcadian Basin, confirming the altar stone must have traveled approximately 750 kilometers to reach Stonehenge in southern England.
Initially, Clark and his colleagues theorized that the altar stones were likely transported by boat. They also explored the possibility that glaciers may have facilitated this movement during the last ice age, reducing the distance for human transport.
Utilizing geological analysis and ancient ice flow modeling, they reconstructed glacier movements. Their findings indicated that while most ice flow from northeast Scotland headed north, some could have directed south, potentially delivering rocks to Dogger Bank. This land bridge connected Britain to mainland Europe until it was submerged beneath the North Sea about 8,000 years ago, long before Stonehenge’s construction began around 5,000 years ago.
If glaciers had indeed transported these altar stones to Dogger Bank, it could have significantly shortened the journey for humans.
However, the flooding of Dogger Bank makes this hypothesis increasingly complex. Given that other stones at Stonehenge weigh between 25 and 30 tons and were undoubtedly moved by humans over substantial distances, it’s likely they possessed the necessary skills and determination to relocate the altar stone as well.
Clark emphasizes, “The builders of Stonehenge were not rushed. Similar to the pyramids, this took years to accomplish; it didn’t need to be done within modern timescales.”
Ultimately, further sampling may help pinpoint the exact quarry from where the altar stone originated. However, the reasons behind this monumental endeavor may forever remain a mystery. “Why would we select certain stones for monuments?” Clark poses, drawing parallels to choosing premium materials for modern kitchens or treasured pieces of jewelry. “Humans have always been drawn to specific stones, and for some reason, these ancient Britons required sandstone from northeastern Scotland.”
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Source: www.newscientist.com
