Groundbreaking Find: How a Hidden Rock Revolutionizes Our Understanding of Stonehenge

A small stone from a 1924 dig is changing the conversation about Stonehenge. New studies of this hand-sized Newall boulder suggest that people, not ice, transported the smaller bluestones used in the monument.

Researchers tested the boulder’s minerals and found a match with stones from Craig Rhos-y-Felin in west Wales, about 125 miles from Stonehenge. They discovered it had wear patterns typical of human handling, not ice movement. The evidence argues strongly against the idea that glaciers transported these rocks.

Richard E. Bevins, a leading scientist from Aberystwyth University, guided the research. The Newall stone measures about 8.7 by 5.9 by 3.9 inches and was collected during the 1924 excavations led by Lt Col Hawley. It holds a clear history, making it a reliable piece for testing the human-versus-ice question—a debate that has sparked curiosity for decades.

The geochemical analysis revealed that the stone’s features align with those found in Welsh rock formations. Elevated calcium levels suggested it had been buried for a long time, reinforcing its link to the source in Wales. The boulder’s shape even mirrors a similar stone at the site of Stonehenge.

Archaeological surveys in Salisbury Plain report no signs of glacial movement. Instead, researchers found sharp-edged fragments that fit with human craftsmanship, not natural wear from ice. The Newall boulder shows signs of wear consistent with weathering after breaking, supporting the idea that it was shaped by human hands.

Excavations at bluestone quarries like Carn Goedog and Craig Rhos-y-Felin indicate that people were actively extracting stones around 3400 to 3000 BC. Professor Mike Parker Pearson from University College London has suggested that these bluestones likely came from a local monument before being transported to Stonehenge around 2900 BC.

Moving these stones was plausible for ancient communities. Most of the sarsens at Stonehenge were sourced from West Woods about 15 miles away, showing that people had the skills and organization to transport heavy stones, whether they weighed 2 tons or 25 tons.

Despite this new understanding, many questions remain about how these ancient builders moved the stones. Unfortunately, archaeological sites often don’t preserve the tools or methods they used.

This new insight significantly challenges the ice-transport theory. The evidence points toward deliberate human action rather than random natural events. The small, seemingly insignificant Newall stone is now a key piece in understanding how ancient people constructed Stonehenge, reflecting not just a monumental achievement but a story of planning and community effort.

For further reading, check the study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

Source link