Jamie Carter is an award-winning reporter and experienced stargazer who covers the night sky, astro-tourism, the northern lights and space exploration. He received the 2023 Popular Media Award from the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division and is the author of A Stargazing Program for Beginners. Writing for Forbes.
The Altar Stone , which sits at the center of Stonehenge ’s iconic 5,000-year-old stone circle, is a 20-inch thick sandstone block measuring 16x3 feet . It lays flat in two pieces.
The researchers studied the age and chemistry of mineral grains within fragments of the Altar Stone. The conclusion relies not only on atomic physics but also on an understanding of plate tectonics.The discovery raises the question of exactly how the massive stone traveled that vast distance around 2600 BC. Many stones at Stonehenge are from Preseli, Wales, about 140 miles to the west.
“Transporting such massive cargo overland from Scotland to southern England would have been extremely challenging, indicating a likely marine shipping route along the coast of Britain," said co-author Chris Kirkland, a professor at Curtin University. “This implies long-distance trade networks and a higher level of societal organization than is widely understood to have existed during the Neolithic period in Britain.
Stonehenge's stones align with the rising sun on the summer solstice date in the northern hemisphere, with the midsummer sun rising slightly to the left of the Heal Stone.Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
Altar Stone Stonehenge Scotland Stonehenge Wales Stonehenge Where Is It Stonehenge New Theory Neolithic Stone Circles Stone Circles UK Stonehenge Solstice
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 'altar stone' originally came from Scotland and not Wales, new research showsResearchers are one step closer to understanding how Stonehenge was created. A new study shows the unique stone lying flat at the center of Stonehenge originally came from a sandstone quarry near the tip of northeast Scotland. It’s not clear whether the 16-foot slab was carried by boat or through land — a journey of more than 460 miles.
Read more »
Stonehenge's Altar Stone origins reveal advanced ancient BritainNew research led by Curtin University has revealed Stonehenge's monumental six-ton Altar Stone, long believed to originate from Wales, actually hails from Scotland. The study titled 'A Scottish Provenance for the Altar Stone of Stonehenge' was published in the journal Nature.
Read more »
Stonehenge's 'altar stone' originally came from Scotland and not Wales, new research showsResearchers are one step closer to understanding how Stonehenge was created.
Read more »
Mysterious Origins of 'Unique' Stonehenge Altar Stone Finally RevealedThe results raise the possibility that advanced long-distance transportation methods existed in Neolithic Britain.
Read more »
Stonehenge's Altar Stone May Have Journeyed Nearly 500 MilesThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
Stonehenge's 'altar stone' originally came from Scotland and not Wales, new research showsResearchers are one step closer to understanding how Stonehenge was created.
Read more »