Tag Archives: Stonehenges

How Neolithic People Transported Stonehenge’s Massive Altar Stones Across Britain

Posted on by
Reply

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.

_____

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

Unveiling the Mystery: Stonehenge’s Altar Stones Likely Not Transported by Glaciers

Posted on by
Reply
Stonehenge Altar Stone

The 5-meter-long altar stone is mostly buried at the center of Stonehenge.

Laurence Berger/Getty Images

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.”

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Breakthrough Discovery May Unravel One of Stonehenge’s Greatest Mysteries

Posted on by
Reply

One of the intriguing mysteries of Stonehenge is how its altar stone journeyed 700 km (435 miles) from Scotland to southern England. New research suggests that glaciers played a crucial role in its transportation.

At the heart of this ancient monument lies a massive sandstone slab, weighing 6 tonnes, which is believed to have arrived at Salisbury Plain approximately 5,000 years ago. Earlier studies pinpointed its origin to northeast Scotland, yet the route it took remains a fascinating enigma.

Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University and Curtin University in Australia, after examining ancient ice flows, believe that glaciers carried the altar stone from the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland to Dogger Bank during the last ice age, spanning from 33,000 to 11,700 years ago.

Today, Dogger Bank is submerged under the North Sea but was once part of Doggerland, a vast prehistoric landmass connecting Britain to mainland Europe. This area lacks natural sources of large stones, indicating that any found there were likely transported by glaciers.

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2026/06/stonehenge-from-the-air.mp4
Stonehenge seen from above

Dr. Remy Venes, co-lead author of the study published in the Quaternary Science Journal, stated, “We recently discovered that the altar stone originated in northeast Scotland, but how it traveled 700 kilometers to Salisbury Plain remains widely debated.”

“These discoveries may suggest that the communities in Doggerland had already ascribed cultural significance to the altar stone long before it became part of Stonehenge,” Dr. Venes added.

Dr. Anthony Clark, co-lead author from Curtin School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, noted that the findings imply glaciers transported the altar stone to Doggerland, with Neolithic people then moving it to Stonehenge.

“Our models indicate that while glaciers may have carried the stone part of the way during the last Ice Age, Neolithic people still had to move it hundreds of kilometers to reach southern England,” Dr. Clark explained.

The study indicates that although glaciers assisted in the stone’s southern journey, researchers found no direct glacial route linking its Scottish origin to Stonehenge. Instead, they posit that Neolithic communities transported stones in stages, utilizing a combination of overland, coastal, and river routes.

This impressive feat of moving immense stones over long distances reveals a level of organization and collaboration among Neolithic communities that has previously been underappreciated. “Transporting stones of this magnitude across vast distances would require meticulous planning, coordination, a deep understanding of the landscape, and immense determination,” Dr. Clark emphasized.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Research reveals Stonehenge’s main stone originated in Scotland

Posted on by
Reply

summary

  • The “altar stone” at the heart of Stonehenge was likely made in what is now Scotland, a study has found.
  • It’s more than 450 miles away, raising the question of how ancient humans managed to transport the stone that far.
  • The study authors suggest they may have used boats.

Scientists say they have unlocked the secrets of Stonehenge’s six-tonne rock, a discovery that adds even more mystery to the site.

A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature suggests that the ancient site’s central sandstone “altar stone” was likely created in what is now Scotland, meaning it was transported more than 450 miles to southern England — farther than any of Stonehenge’s other stones of known origin.

The discovery raises important questions: Researchers estimate that the altar stone was placed about 4,500 years ago, meaning Neolithic people could have moved it hundreds of miles, long before the invention of the lightweight spoked wheel.

The find also suggests that culture and social structure in the British Isles at this time was more intertwined than previously thought, and that Neolithic people were capable of carrying out complex projects with relatively simple tools.

The discovery was made based on the dating analysis of mineral grains within the sandstone. After profiling the age of the grains, the researchers were able to compare the altar stone’s age “fingerprint” with a database of sandstone samples from across the UK and nearby areas, such as Brittany in France.

“We can link the age spectrum with a fairly high degree of statistical certainty – in fact more than 95% confidence – to a very specific region in northeast Scotland,” said study co-author Chris Kirkland, professor of earth and planetary sciences at Curtin University in Australia.

The area Kirkland refers to, the Orkney Basin, includes the Orkney Islands themselves; Known for its elaborate stone circles.

“We can’t directly answer the question of why this rock was transported,” Kirkland said, “all we know is that this 6.5-ton rock was transported from 750 kilometers away, and that alone tells us an awful lot about Neolithic societies and their connections.”

Stonehenge — UNESCO World Heritage Site One of the best-preserved prehistoric megalithic monuments, the site is surrounded by large sandstone slabs called “sarsens”, which support stone lintels (also horizontal spans of rock, some held together by joints). Inside the outline of the sarsens is an inner circle of “bluestones”, which in turn is a horseshoe shape.

of The sarsens are thought to have originated approximately 15 miles north of Stonehenge.Meanwhile, bluestone comes from Wales, about 140 miles away.

The new study concerns the central Altar Stone, a roughly 16-foot-long slab of stone that shows evidence of being shaped by human tools. Stonehenge’s other slabs currently rest on top of the Altar Stone but have apparently been toppled over time.

“Whatever the reason, this is a special stone,” said David Nash, a professor of physical geography at the University of Brighton who has studied Stonehenge but was not involved in the new study. “It’s totally different to the other stones on the site.”

Kirkland and his colleagues looked at three possible routes the altar stones could have taken from Scotland to Stonehenge: They could have been transported by shifting glacial ice during the Ice Age, but the study authors don’t think that’s a good explanation, or they could have been transported overland by humans, but the team thinks that would be too difficult in the wooded area.

The third possibility, which they consider to be the most likely, is that the stones were transported by ship, and there is evidence of seaborne transport during this period, when England’s coastline was different to what it is today.

Nash said the authors had reached a “sound conclusion” about the altar stone’s origins.

“Their work is really fascinating,” he said, adding that their findings add to the evidence that Neolithic people travelled throughout the British Isles and were part of wider social structures. “There was clearly a social structure, there were connections and there was a very clear transmission of ideas.”

Stonehenge is one of approximately 1,300 surviving ancient stone circles. According to the British MuseumResearchers believe the site’s stones were shaped with hand tools and assembled using a winch and pulley system, with the stones aligned to coincide with the movement of the sun and the summer and winter solstices.

Experts speculate that Neolithic people may have used these sites for rituals and ceremonies, but details have been lost to time — especially what was so special about the altar stones.

“Today’s billionaires decorate their mansions with Italian Carrara marble, but I don’t understand why they do it. It’s a mystery,” said Anthony Clark, lead author of the new study and a doctoral student at Curtin University. “Humans have always been fascinated by finding the perfect stone, and perhaps Neolithic Britons were too, so their motivations have been forgotten over time.”

As a next step, the researchers hope to pinpoint the exact outcrop or region where the rocks originated, but said fundamental mysteries are likely to remain.

“They placed a lot of value in transporting that stone 700, 800, 900 kilometres,” said Nick Pearce, a professor of geography and geosciences at Aberystwyth University in Wales and another co-author of the study. “However they transported it, it meant something to them. What did it mean? Why did it mean so much to them? It gives us all something to think about.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com