Stonehenge

2024 - 8 - 14

The Stonehenge Secret: Scottish Stone Gets a Deeper Meaning!

Altar Stone - Ancient Transportation - Archaeological Discoveries - Neolithic Communities - Scottish Origins - Stonehenge

Did you know that the Altar Stone at Stonehenge travelled a whopping 500 miles from Scotland? Get the juicy details on this jaw-dropping discovery!

In a stunning revelation that has geologists and archaeologists buzzing with excitement, the Altar Stone at the heart of Stonehenge has been traced back to Scotland, not Wales as previously thought. This six-tonne sandstone slab, central to ancient rituals at the iconic monument, has been confirmed to have travelled over 450 miles - a feat that indicates the collaborative efforts of Neolithic populations were far more extensive than previously understood. Researchers from Curtin University have conducted mineralogical tests, revealing that this remarkable monolith was quarried from Scotland, leading to a fresh wave of questions about how such an enormous stone was transported so far without the modern machinery we often take for granted today.

The Altar Stone has long been a mystery, associated with various theories regarding its origins and the purpose it served in ancient times. Geologist Anthony Clarke described the team's reaction as "stunned, couldn’t believe it," highlighting the excitement surrounding this groundbreaking discovery. Previously, many had believed the stone had come from locations like the Brecon Beacons in Wales. The research team’s findings rewrite the historical narrative of Stonehenge, suggesting that it served as a focal point for inter-regional connection among ancient communities.

The implications of this finding are vast: not only does it challenge our understanding of how far people were willing to travel and collaborate in the Neolithic era, but it also opens up new dialogue about cultural exchanges between tribes in what is now England and Scotland. It paints a picture of a vibrant network of social interaction that crossed vast distances, likely driven by shared beliefs or communal ceremonies centred around Stonehenge.

As for Stonehenge itself, this monumental site's association with solstice activities and ancient rituals remains its most tantalizing aspect. Did you know that the construction of Stonehenge took place over thousands of years, and it is aligned with the movements of the sun? Moreover, the site is over 4,600 years old, making it one of the most significant archaeological assets in the world! With every new finding, like the true origin of the Altar Stone, we inch closer to unlocking the mysteries of our ancient predecessors and their enduring legacies.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Stonehenge: Central Altar Stone from Scotland not Wales (BBC News)

The discovery shows the construction of Stonehenge was a far greater collaborative effort than scientists realised. It also means that the ancient monument, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Mystery of Stonehenge deepens after 'jaw-dropping' discovery (The Independent)

Mineralogical tests on the massive six-tonne stone at the heart of the monument show that this central rock, known as the altar stone, was brought to Stonehenge ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Stonehenge megalith came from Scotland, not Wales, 'jaw-dropping ... (The Guardian)

Monument's largest 'bluestone' moved more than 450 miles – a discovery researchers say rewrites relationships between Neolithic populations.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Stonehenge discovery highlights 500-mile mystery - as central stone ... (Sky News)

The Altar Stone at the centre of Stonehenge was brought 500 miles from northern Scotland - not Wales - as was previously thought, according to new research, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Scientist"

Stonehenge's altar stone was brought all the way from Scotland (New Scientist)

“All of us were stunned. We couldn't believe it,” says geologist Anthony Clarke at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. How the altar stone was transported ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bicester Advertiser"

Stonehenge Altar Stone was transported 430 miles from Scotland ... (Bicester Advertiser)

Previously it was believed that the six-tonne sandstone had been brought to the monument in Wiltshire from Wales.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "KGET 17"

Stonehenge's 'altar stone' originally came from Scotland and not ... (KGET 17)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The ancient ritual meaning of Stonehenge is still a mystery, but researchers are one step closer to understanding how the famous stone ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Courthouse News Service"

Stonehenge center stone traveled over 450 miles from Scotland, not ... (Courthouse News Service)

Though it was erected more than 4,600 years ago, scientists are still uncovering more details about the origin of Stonehenge and how ancient civilizations ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

The voyage of the Altar Stone: A Stonehenge mystery solved (maybe) (The Washington Post)

Researchers revealed that the long-mysterious Altar Stone at the heart of the world's most famous prehistoric monument came from faraway Scotland.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Metro"

Stonehenge mystery deepens after iconic stone is from a surprising ... (Metro)

Previous geological research suggested the 'altar' probably originated from the Brecon Beacons in south east Wales - that's not the case.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "National Geographic"

The mysterious origin of Stonehenge's altar stone might have been ... (National Geographic)

Researchers have traced the central sandstone to sources hundreds of miles away from its current resting place, suggesting that it might have been ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

The Altar Stone of Stonehenge came from an unexpectedly distant ... (The Conversation AU)

The centre of solstice activities at Stonehenge is the Altar Stone – a large sandstone slab of uncertain origins. Our new work has found a match for it all ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Powys County Times"

Stonehenge Altar Stone not Welsh, say Aberystwyth scientists (Powys County Times)

The new discovery implies that one of the most famous stones in the world was moved much further than had been believed – at least 435 miles.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

For Stonehenge's Altar Stone, an Improbably Long Ancient Journey (The New York Times)

A six-ton megalith at the heart of the archaeological site traveled more than 450 miles to get there, a new study concludes.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Stonehenge rock was shifted 400 miles from Scotland, scientists find (Financial Times)

Pioneering geological dating research has revealed a surprise at the heart of Stonehenge, the neolithic monument in southern England whose origins are ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "iNews"

Scientists make remarkable discovery about Stonehenge altar origins (iNews)

Scientists believe the largest altar stone at the centre of the megalithic structure in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire was transported over 435 miles from Scotland ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Cosmos"

New evidence shows Stonehenge's 6-tonne Altar Stone was ... (Cosmos)

New research suggests Neolithic people who built Stonehenge transported its 6-tonne Altar Stone from Scotland.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Stonehenge: Central Altar Stone from Scotland not Wales (BBC News)

The discovery shows the construction of Stonehenge was a far greater collaborative effort than scientists realised. It also means that the ancient monument, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Stonehenge's 'altar stone' came from Scotland, not Wales, new ... (Voice of America)

The ancient ritual meaning of Stonehenge is still a mystery, but researchers are one step closer to understanding how the famous stone circle was created.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Phys.Org"

Stonehenge's Altar Stone origins reveal advanced ancient Britain (Phys.Org)

New research led by Curtin University has revealed Stonehenge's monumental six-ton Altar Stone, long believed to originate from Wales, actually hails from ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CBBC Newsround"

New research on origin of Stonehenge rock 'stuns' experts (CBBC Newsround)

The discovery challenges a long held belief about the origins of the giant stone at the centre of the prehistoric monument.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Century-old theory of where Stonehenge's Altar Stone came from ... (CNN)

An aerial photograph showcases the neolithic monument Stonehenge, located in Wiltshire, England. David Goddard/Getty Images. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

The Altar Stone at the centre of Stonehenge may have come from ... (ABC News)

The Altar Stone, long believed to have come from Wales, may have been transported via sea from Scotland, according to new research from an Australian team.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Stonehenge's central rock came from Scotland, study finds (NBC News)

Stonehenge's "altar stone" likely originated in present-day Scotland, a study found. It raises questions about how ancient humans transported the stone such ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "WION"

A six-tonne stone in Stonehenge was transported from 750km away ... (WION)

The largest 'bluestone' of the ancient Stonehenge, a six-tonne rock, had been moved from some 750 kilometres away in Scotland to its current location in ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Pembrokeshire Herald"

Stonehenge altar stone came from Scotland, not Wales (The Pembrokeshire Herald)

According to the new research involving scientists at Aberystwyth University, UCL, Curtin University and the University of Adelaide, both the chemical ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Press and Journal"

Steenhenge? One of the world's most famous stones is now ... (Press and Journal)

The largest Altar Stone at the heart of Stonehenge is actually Scottish not Welsh and scientists have been left stunned.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "JohnOGroat Journal"

Did central part of Stonehenge come from Caithness? (JohnOGroat Journal)

Archaeology experts are asking themselves why a key element of Stonehenge might have been transported all the way from the far north of Scotland.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Teesside Live"

The eerie North Yorkshire attraction that's even better than ... (Teesside Live)

Despite its striking similarity to the 5,000 year old Stonehenge, Swinton Druids Temple is actually the brainchild of quirky landowner William Danby, who owned ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Chemistry World"

Stonehenge Altar stone likely came from Scotland, not Wales (Chemistry World)

Pale green in colour, the sedimentary sandstone also includes particles of other minerals produced by weathering of nearby rocks as the sandstone formed.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Art Newspaper"

Mysterious Stonehenge altar rock was transported 500 miles, finds ... (Art Newspaper)

Researchers have found that the six-tonne feature of the neolithic monument likely came from the Orcadian Basin in north-east Scotland, rather than Wales.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Northern Times"

Did central part of Stonehenge come from Caithness? (Northern Times)

Archaeology experts are asking themselves why a key element of Stonehenge might have been transported all the way from the far north of Scotland.

Explore the last week