The Altar Stone's mineral composition matched rocks found in northeast Scotland, ruling out a Welsh origin.
Stonehenge, a mysterious prehistoric site in Wiltshire, England, continues to baffle archaeologists regarding its building process.The Altar Stone, a massive six-ton sandstone slab, holds a central position within this ancient monument. Previously, it was believed that this stone originated in Wales.It turns out that this Altar Stone most likely came from northeast Scotland, which is at least 700 kilometers away from its ultimate resting place in southwest England.
“Our analysis found specific mineral grains in the Altar Stone are mostly between 1,000 to 2,000 million years old, while other minerals are around 450 million years old,” Clarke added. This recent research raises a fresh question about Stonehenge: How did prehistoric humans transport the 6-ton stone across Britain’s islands?
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stonehenge's 13,200-pound Altar Stone originated in northeastern Scotland, more than 450 miles awayJennifer Nalewicki is a Salt Lake City-based journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics and more. She covers several science topics from planet Earth to paleontology and archaeology to health and culture. Prior to freelancing, Jennifer held an Editor role at Time Inc.
Read more »
Stonehenge's 6-ton Altar Stone came from hundreds of miles away in Scotland, researchers sayStonehenge's Altar Stone, weighing roughly six tons, was brought to the site from Scotland and not Wales, as was previously thought, researchers said.
Read more »
Stonehenge’s altar stone was brought all the way from ScotlandThe nearest source of the altar stone at the centre of Stonehenge has finally been identified – and it is at least 750 kilometres away in north-east Scotland
Read more »
Ancient Builders May Have Schlepped Stonehenge’s Altar Stone All the Way From ScotlandFragments of the Altar Stone are geologically different from the others at Stonehenge, but similar to those found hundreds of miles away, according to new research.
Read more »
Stonehenge’s mysterious Altar Stone had roots in ScotlandNew analyses indicate that this weighty piece of the site’s architecture, once thought to come from Wales, was somehow moved at least 750 kilometers.
Read more »
Stonehenge's ‘altar stone' originally came from Scotland and not Wales, new research showsThe actual source of the stone remained unknown until now. One archaeologist said it was a 'surprise that it's come from so far away.'
Read more »