A new study led by Curtin University researchers has provided new insight into one of Stonehenge’s most enduring mysteries: how the giant stone moved across Britain and became part of the famous monument.
The focus of the study is the Altar Stone, a six-tonne sandstone megalith at the center of Stonehenge. Previous research has suggested that the stone came from northeastern Scotland, about 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Salisbury Plain, making its presence at Stonehenge one of the most remarkable examples of long-distance transport in prehistoric Europe.
The latest discoveries strengthen the idea that ancient people, rather than natural forces, moved giant stones across difficult terrain.
Follow the ancient journey of the altar stone
The study builds on previous work that excluded glaciers as the primary means of transporting stones. To investigate further, scientists combined mineral particle dating techniques with computer models of ancient ice sheets. Their goal was to determine exactly where this stone came from and whether glaciers carried it south during the last Ice Age.
The results suggest that glaciers may have moved rocks from Scotland along the way, reaching what is now Dogger Bank in the North Sea. However, the model shows that there was no viable glacial route that could have delivered the altar stones directly to southern England.
Therefore, a significant portion of the journey remains unexplained by natural processes alone.
Evidence of human migration
Dr Anthony Clarke, co-lead author from Curtin’s Mineral Systems Timescale Group within the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the evidence showed the rock’s movement was intentional rather than accidental.
Dr Clark said: “The evidence points to a carefully planned movement across a challenging and varied terrain, rather than being transported naturally by ice.”
“Our modeling suggests that during the last Ice Age, glaciers may have carried the rocks along their journey, possibly as far as Dogger Bank in the North Sea, but not all the way to southern England, meaning the stones still had to be moved hundreds of kilometers by humans.”
“The study shows that there was no viable glacier route directly linking the glacier source area to Stonehenge, supporting the conclusion that human transport was necessary.
“Rather, this suggests that the stones may have been moved in stages, possibly combining land transport with river or coastal transport.”
Amazing feats of Neolithic organization
Moving six tons of stone over such a long distance would have been a daunting task for Neolithic communities. The researchers believe this journey likely had multiple stages and required careful coordination between groups living in different regions.
Dr Clark said the findings highlight that there may have been a higher level of planning and cooperation than previously recognized.
“Transporting stones of this size over long distances would have required planning, coordination and a deep understanding of the landscape, not to mention extraordinary determination,” Dr Clark said.
“This study shows how combining geological analysis and computer modeling can help solve long-standing questions about how Stonehenge was built.”
Researchers plan to continue investigating the altar stone’s origins by determining its exact source in north-east Scotland and investigating routes that prehistoric people may have used to transport it.
The study involved a collaboration between researchers from Curtin University, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, Wessex Archaeology, and the University of Bristol.
