The massive 6-ton Altar Stone at the center of the famous Stonehenge monument in England has been found to have been moved not by glaciers, but by Neolithic humans from northeastern Scotland. A new study led by Curtin University and Sheffield Hallam University overturns long-held assumptions about Stonehenge's construction, demonstrating that ancient communities undertook this arduous journey of hundreds of kilometers through carefully organized planning.
Human Labor Beyond Glacial Limits
Scientists used computer simulations to prove that during the last Ice Age, glaciers could have transported rocks as far as the Dogger Bank region in the North Sea, but not far enough to reach southern England [1]. This implies that the stone had to be moved over at least 400 kilometers by ancient humans. Researchers traced the stone's origin to northeastern Scotland by combining mineral age analysis with geological data [2]. The transportation of such a massive stone over such a vast distance indicates that Neolithic communities were far more organized than previously believed.
Arduous Journey by Land and Sea
Moving the six-ton sandstone required a complex, phased journey involving river routes, coastal transport, and overland hauling [3]. Experts emphasize that such a feat demanded not only physical strength but also geographical knowledge, deep strategic planning, and strong intergroup cooperation. This discovery reveals that Stonehenge was not merely a local monument, but the product of a massive collaborative effort uniting diverse communities across Britain.
References and Further Reading
- [1] New study reveals how Stonehenge's Altar Stone crossed ancient ...
- [2] The mysterious origin of Stonehenge’s altar stone might have been solved | National Geographic
- [3] Researchers investigating the origins of Stonehenge's enigmatic ...
Image & Source: Sci.News - Archaeology / sci.news