According to a ground-breaking study, the “altar stone,” one of Stonehenge’s main megaliths, originated in Scotland rather than Wales as was previously thought. According to Rob Ixer of University College London, this finding is “genuinely shocking” and completely rewrites our picture of Neolithic communities and their relationships throughout the British Isles.
For more than a century, researchers have been aware that a portion of the stones used in Stonehenge originated in Wales and were moved 125 miles to the famous location on Salisbury Plain. The altar stone, a gigantic 6-ton block of sandstone, appears to have traveled an astounding 466 miles from the northeast corner of Scotland, probably from the Orkney Islands or the vicinity of Inverness, according to the most recent research.
Experts from Curtin University, the University of Adelaide, Aberystwyth University, and UCL undertook the study, which was published in Nature. It entailed a thorough examination of the chemical makeup of the stone and the age of its components. It was completely surprising that these elements produced a distinct “age fingerprint” that matched the ancient red sandstone discovered in Scotland’s Orcadian Basin.
This finding raises questions about earlier theories on the provenance of Stonehenge’s stones and implies that the site’s importance extended well beyond southern Britain. The Scottish provenance of the altar stone presents fresh opportunities to comprehend the connections and exchanges between Neolithic cultures throughout the British Isles.
Although the precise means of transportation are still unknown, several experts estimate that a protracted land expedition that involved stopping at many communities along the way was more likely than a perilous sea voyage. This discovery not only illuminates the incredible abilities and connections of the ancient peoples who created Stonehenge, but it also adds to the enigma surrounding the structure.
The study’s conclusions will likely influence future debates and change our perceptions of Neolithic Britain and its enormous accomplishments.