The Stonehenge altar does not originate from Wales, as previously thought - new research
Kyiv • UNN
A new study has found that the central stone of Stonehenge was transported from northeastern Scotland, not from Wales. This suggests the existence of ancient trade networks and more complex social organization 5,000 years ago.
One of the stones from Stonehenge in southern England, originating from a much greater distance. According to a new study, the ritual object comes from northeastern Scotland.
Reported by UNN with reference to BBC and the journal Nature.
Details
The Stonehenge megalithic monument continues to reveal its secrets. Researchers have taken a step closer to understanding how the famous stone circle was created. It has now been determined that the so-called Altar Stone, which lies exactly in the center of the monument, was transported to the site in southern England from the northeastern edge of Scotland.
The stone was transported a distance of 700 kilometers from northeastern Scotland almost 5,000 years ago
Transporting such a large cargo overland from Scotland to southern England would have been extremely difficult, suggesting that there was likely a sea route along the British coast
He adds that this indicates the existence of long-distance trade networks and more extensive and sophisticated levels of social organization than previously thought.
Background
The Altar Stone is one of the largest stones used in the construction of the megalithic monument. It is likely named after the 17th century archaeologist who first suggested that this flat stone could have been a prehistoric altar.
The monument represents a thick slab: it weighs six tons and lies at the center of the stone circle.
The construction of Stonehenge began 5,000 years ago. Over the next two millennia, there were changes and additions. It is believed that most of the bluestones were the first stones erected on this site.
Reminder
Earlier, UNN reported that two activists in Britain sprayed orange paint on Stonehenge.
The UK court dismissed the activists' appeal against the government's plans to build a tunnel under the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge.
