Groundbreaking research conducted by archaeologists from Curtin University and Sheffield Hallam University reveals that Neolithic individuals, not glaciers, were responsible for transporting Stonehenge’s iconic six-tonne sandstone boulder, known as the Altar Stone, from north-east Scotland to Salisbury Plain.
Stonehenge. Image credit: Sally Wilson.
According to Dr. Anthony Clarke from Curtin University, “Our findings indicate that the movement of the Altar Stone was a complex endeavor that required meticulous planning through multiple stages.”
“Evidence supports that the stones were not simply moved by glacial activity, but rather through a well-organized transport process over challenging and diverse terrains.”
“Our modeling indicates that while glaciers may have carried rocks southeast to Dogger Bank during the last Ice Age, they did not extend to southern England. Thus, the stones needed to be transported by humans over hundreds of kilometers.”
“This research indicates that there was no feasible glacial route connecting the source area directly to Stonehenge, reinforcing the necessity for human transport.”
Moreover, the study suggests that the stones might have been moved in stages, utilizing a combination of land and maritime transport methods.
The research employed a blend of mineral dating, geological provenance analysis, and computer simulations of Ice Age ice sheet movements to trace how the altar stones arrived at Salisbury Plain.
The team began by pinpointing the stone source in north-east Scotland through an analysis of its mineral composition and age.
Subsequent modeling of ancient glaciers revealed that the ice may have carried the stones southeast to Dogger Bank, an area currently submerged beneath the North Sea.
From these findings, the researchers propose that prehistoric communities may have later retrieved the stone from Dogger Bank, transporting it to Salisbury Plain and eventually integrating it into Stonehenge.
Dr. Clark emphasized, “This discovery highlights a previously underestimated level of organization and collaboration among Neolithic societies.” He added, “Transporting such heavy stones over long distances would have demanded exceptional planning, coordination, and a profound understanding of the landscape, showcasing remarkable determination.”
This study illustrates the power of combining geological analysis with computer modeling to address long-standing questions about the construction of Stonehenge.
“Future investigations will focus on identifying the exact source of the altar stone in north-east Scotland and exploring potential transport routes utilized by ancient communities.”
Findings from this study are published in today’s Quaternary Science Journal.
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Anthony JI Clark and others. From the highlands to the henge: elucidating the source and transport routes of Stonehenge’s altar stones. Quaternary Science Journal, published online June 4, 2026. doi: 10.1002/jqs.70080
Source: www.sci.news