The origins of Stonehenge’s Central Altar Stone revealed: It’s not from Wales!

The recent analysis has revealed that the six-tonne Altar Stone at the heart of Stonehenge actually originated from the far north of Scotland, debunking the previous belief that it came from south-west Wales. The research, led by Welsh PhD student Anthony Clarke, has been published in the renowned scientific journal Nature, marking a significant milestone for the young researcher.

This discovery has shed new light on the construction of Stonehenge, suggesting that it was a collaborative effort involving stones from various regions of Great Britain. The findings highlight the advanced connectivity and societal development of Neolithic Britain, indicating that the ancient Britons were more interconnected than previously thought.

Anthony Clarke, the lead researcher, expressed his amusement at not being forgiven by his fellow countrymen in Wales for the revelation. However, he emphasized that the bluestones in the central horseshoe of Stonehenge still originate from Wales, while the larger stones in the outer circle are from England. In a lighthearted manner, he remarked, “We’ve got to give the Scots something!”

The analysis confirming the stone’s origin was conducted by a team at Curtin University, who utilised cutting-edge technology to analyse the chemical composition and date fragments of rock from the Altar Stone. The unique composition and date of the stone were found to be a match for rocks from the Orcadian Basin in north-eastern Scotland, more than 700km away from Stonehenge.

Professor Nick Pearce, one of the researchers, expressed his astonishment at the discovery, highlighting that the ancient Neolithic people were more well-connected and organised than previously believed. The researchers also noted that this revelation will prompt further investigations into how the Altar Stone was transported such a great distance.

Dr. Robert Ixer, another researcher involved in the study, described the result as “shocking,” prompting important questions about how and why the stone was transported from such a distant location. The implications of this discovery extend to understanding the communities of Neolithic times, their connectivity, and their transport systems, according to Professor Pearce.

The significance of this finding has not been lost on archaeologists working for English Heritage, which is responsible for Stonehenge. Heather Sebire, a senior curator at the monument, remarked that the discovery implied great social connections in Britain during that time, leading to further questions about the society’s sophisticated and spiritual aspects.

The new analysis revealing the origins of Stonehenge’s Altar Stone has provided valuable insights into the collaborative effort and advanced society of Neolithic Britain. It has opened up new avenues for research and highlighted the remarkable accomplishments of ancient Britons in transporting such massive stones over great distances.