Study Reveals Human Efforts Behind Stonehenge's Journey and Build
WHO:
Newser - Scientists involved in the research include co-author Anthony Clarke.
WHAT:
Newser - The study indicates that the Altar Stone was likely moved over 450 miles, not just 430 miles as previously believed.
Science Daily - The research reveals that the Altar Stone's transportation required extraordinary planning, teamwork, and determination from ancient people.
Yahoo - The study suggests that the Altar Stone's journey involved a staged transport effort, utilizing both land and waterways.
Newser - The Altar Stone at Stonehenge weighs over 13,000 pounds and is 16 feet long.
Science Daily - The Altar Stone was transported 700 kilometers (approximately 435 miles) from Scotland to southern England.
Newser - The research suggests that Neolithic communities dragged and floated the stone in stages.
WHERE:
Newser - The Altar Stone originated from the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland.
Newser - Stonehenge is located in southern England.
Newser - Dogger Bank, a now-submerged area, is about 250 miles from Stonehenge.
WHY:
Newser - The study argues against the idea that glaciers transported the stone, stating that a purely glacial assist is challenging to defend.
Science Daily - The transportation of the stone reveals a surprisingly sophisticated level of organization among ancient people.
HOW:
Yahoo - Researchers analyzed zircon minerals in the sandstone to identify its source, with sandstone from Caithness providing the strongest match.
Yahoo - The study utilized computer modeling to test the possibility of glacial transport, which did not support the glacial theory.
Newser - The research modeled ancient ice flows to test the possibility of glacial transport.
Newser - The study concludes that human effort and planning were crucial in moving the stone over long distances.
(UPDATED June 10, 2026 08:19 UTC)
A new study reveals that the Altar Stone was likely moved over four hundred fifty miles, surpassing the previous belief of four hundred thirty miles. Researchers found that this monumental task required extraordinary planning and teamwork from ancient people, involving a staged transport effort that utilized both land and waterways. To determine the stone's origin, scientists analyzed zircon minerals in the sandstone, with the strongest match coming from Caithness, while computer modeling ruled out the possibility of glacial transport.
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(UPDATED June 10, 2026 01:48 UTC)
Scientists, including co-author Anthony Clarke, have conducted research revealing that the Altar Stone at Stonehenge, which weighs over 13,000 pounds and measures 16 feet long, was transported from the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland to southern England, covering a distance of approximately 435 miles. The study suggests that Neolithic communities employed a sophisticated level of organization to drag and float the stone in stages, countering the previous belief that glaciers were responsible for its transport. By modeling ancient ice flows, researchers concluded that human effort and planning were essential in moving the massive stone over such long distances.