Historical Constructors Potentially Transported Stonehenge's Altar Stone Over Long Distance From Scotland
Rewritten Article:
Stonehenge's Mysterious Past Unveiled: A Scottish Connection?
Striding through English soil, the enigmatic landmark of Stonehenge casts a spell on any visitor. But what if a wee bit of Scotland might have had a role to play in its creation?
Numerous investigations have pointed to various sources for the rocks used in Stonehenge's construction. The massive sarsens, weighing up to 30 tons, supposedly hail from a nearby quarry around 16 miles (25 kilometers) away. Conversely, the smaller bluestones, between two and five tons each, were believed to originate from the distant lands of Wales, some 140 miles (225 kilometers) away. However, the question of their transportation—human effort or natural glacial movements—has remained a topic of debate among historians.
Recently, a team of intrepid geologists, led by Anthony Clark of Curtin University in Perth, Australia, embarked on an exciting mission to solve one of Stonehenge's lingering mysteries: the source of the Altar Stone, Stone 80.
The Altar Stone, lying partially embedded underground between two bluestones, is the largest of the non-sarsen stones. Previous geological analysis had confirmed that it wasn't of Welsh origin like its peers. To trace its origins, the researchers analyzed the age and chemical makeup of zircon, apatite, and rutile grains extracted from two fragments of the Altar Stone.
The team discovered that the zircon was approximately a billion years old, while the apatite and rutile were around 470 million years old. This unique composition did not align with that of any other Stonehenge rocks. Yet, it shared striking similarities with rocks found in the Orcadian Basin in northern Scotland, roughly 466 miles (750 kilometers) away from Stonehenge.
"Astonishing findings that'll shake the archaeological world for decades! The Origin of the Altar Stone of Stonehenge has been unveiled," declared Richard Bevins, an honorary professor at Aberystwyth University, in a statement. "We've managed to decipher the age and chemical fingerprints of one of the most illustrious stones in the world-a UNESCO-recognized ancient monument."
Although the purpose of their study was merely to determine the Altar Stone's origins, the researchers couldn't help but muse over its transportation. Given the distances and weights involved, transporting the Altar Stone via land seemed quite a challenge, leading them to consider an alternative: maritime transportation. This hypothesis opens the door to the concept of long-distance trade networks and a complex Neolithic society in the region, unbeknownst to us.
"Moving such massive cargo overland from Scotland to southern England would’ve been an arduous task, suggesting possible marine shipping routes along the British coast," observed Chris Kirkland, a geochronology professor at Curtin University and part of the study team. "This implies substantial trade networks and a higher level of societal organization during the Neolithic period in Britain than previously recognized."
With age-old power emanating from its stones, the enigmatic Stonehenge has long captivated archaeologists. Its history stretches as far back as 8500 BCE, with the initial construction of its iconic monuments dating around 5,000 years ago. Scholars continue to debate its primary purpose, with some suggesting it might have served as a memorial site.
Interestingly enough, while this recent revelation throws new light on Stonehenge's Orcadian roots, its future looks secure. In July 2023, the British government shelved a contentious road expansion plan that would've included a tunnel beneath part of the site. Environmentalists had protested the plan due to fears of potential damage to Stonehenge's pristine landscape and any hidden archaeological treasures beneath it.
- The Altar Stone of Stonehenge, the largest non-sarsen stone, was found to have its origins traced back to the Orcadian Basin in northern Scotland, nearly 466 miles away.
- Previous geological analysis had shown that the Altar Stone was not of Welsh origin, like the other bluestones at Stonehenge.
- In contrast to the Altar Stone, the sarsens used in Stonehenge's construction, weighing up to 30 tons, are believed to have come from a nearby quarry.
- The future of Stonehenge appears secure, as the British government shelved a road expansion plan that could potentially damage the site in July 2023.
