Stonehenge's altar stone may have moved from Scotland via glacier
Researchers explore glacier transport in ancient stone journey
A study proposes that the altar stone at Stonehenge could have travelled from north-east Scotland via glacier to Salisbury Plain.
Conducted by Sheffield Hallam University and Curtin University, the research unveils that the sandstone monolith might have moved from the Orcadian Basin in Scotland, about 435 miles away, to Doggerland, a submerged site off the east coast of England, during the last Ice Age.
Dr Remy Veness of Sheffield Hallam University, co-lead author of the study, explained the significance of the findings.
She said that these findings offer a new explanation regarding the stone's journey.
The research highlights that prehistoric Britons possibly transported the stone from Doggerland to its final place on Salisbury Plain.
Dr Veness noted the potential cultural significance the stone held for the people of Doggerland.
She said, "The altar stone must have been significant enough (for people) to be willing to move the stone at least twice."
The stone may have first been moved due to the climate forces as the sea levels were rising at the end of the last ice age.
Dr Anthony Clarke, co-lead author from Curtin University, confirmed that a careful plan was likely needed to navigate the challenging terrain.
"Our modelling shows glaciers may have transported rocks part of the way during the last Ice Age - potentially as far as Dogger Bank in the North Sea - but not into southern England, meaning the stone would still have needed to be moved hundreds of kilometres by people," Dr Clarke said.
The research findings reveal unseen levels of organisation among Neolithic communities.
Dr Clarke mentioned that moving the stone over such a long distance needed thorough planning and immense determination.
Future studies are set to narrow down the source and study further transport routes of the stone by the communities of that era.
The study, titled From Highlands To Henge: Refining The Provenance And Transport Pathways Of Stonehenge’s Altar Stone, appeared in the Journal of Quaternary Science.