Stonehenge’s Altar Stone may have traveled 430 miles from Northeast Scotland to Salisbury Plain, according to a new study. Previously linked to Wales like the monument’s bluestones, the 4,500-year-old rock’s origin has been re-evaluated using geological analysis. Researchers from Curtin University in Australia and UK institutions argue the stone’s journey involved both glacial movement and human effort.
The study, published June 4 in the Journal of Quaternary Science, challenges earlier assumptions. Stonehenge was built in stages between 3,000 BC and 1,500 BCE, featuring sandstone trilithons and smaller bluestones. The altar stone, central to the monument, was likely placed during the second construction phase, between 2,620 and 2,480 BCE.
Related: User Account Blocked by Social Media Platform
Geological evidence confirms the monument’s sandstone came from nearby Marlborough Downs, while its bluestones originated in Wales’ Preseli Hills. Weighing up to 40 tons, these stones required significant effort to transport. Earlier theories suggested humans moved them by land or sea, or that glaciers carried them during the Ice Age.
Recent research ruled out glacial transport for the bluestones, attributing their movement to human labor. But the new study proposes a different path for the altar stone. Analysis of ancient ice flows suggests a glacier carried it from Scotland’s Orcadian Basin to Dogger Bank—a submerged prehistoric landmass in the North Sea—during the last ice age, 33,000 to 11,700 years ago.
“Our modeling shows glaciers may have transported rocks part of the way,” says Dr. Anthony Clarke of Curtin University. “But not into southern England.” He notes the stone would still have needed to be moved hundreds of miles by people. Such a feat, he adds, would have required planning, coordination, and a deep understanding of the setting.
Related: Exploring the Spectrum: A Comprehensive Guide to Colored Lab-Made Diamonds
Dr. Remy Veness of Sheffield Hallam University highlights another implication. “The people of Doggerland may have attached cultural significance to the stone long before it reached Stonehenge,” he says. “It must have been significant enough to move at least twice—once to avoid submersion and again to Salisbury Plain.”
The findings suggest a complex interplay of natural and human forces. While glaciers may have carried the stone partway, its final journey relied on human effort. This adds another layer to the mystery of how Neolithic societies transported massive stones across vast distances.
Experts emphasize the logistical challenges of moving such a heavy object. The altar stone, weighing up to 25 tons, would have required specialized tools, labor, and routes. The study raises questions about how ancient communities organized such endeavors, particularly over multiple time periods.
Related: 5 Reasons to Invest in a Spirit Doll Sculpture
Some researchers remain cautious. While the glacial hypothesis explains part of the journey, it doesn’t fully resolve how the stone reached its final location. “This adds to the debate, not settles it,” says one archaeologist, who notes the need for more evidence linking Dogger Bank to Stonehenge’s construction.
The study shows the evolving understanding of Stonehenge’s origins. What was once thought to be a simple transport route now appears more detailed, blending natural processes with human ingenuity. Future research may uncover more clues about the monument’s materials and the people who shaped it.
