Origin of the altar stone at Stonehenge: Unraveling another mystery
Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone monument located in Wiltshire, England, continues to confuse experts and tourists alike because of its mysteries. This ancient site consists of an outer circle of towering sandstone blocks called sarsen, each 4 meters high, 2.1 meters wide and weighing about 25 tons. These giant rocks are covered with horizontal wires, some intertwined with each other with joints, forming a distinctive pattern. Inside this outer circle is a circle of smaller bluestones, with additional stones placed further inside. The entire structure is carefully aligned with the movement of the Sun during the summer and winter solstices.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge holds many mysteries. Its purpose remains controversial – some believe it was a site for religious ceremonies, a prehistoric calendar, or even a site for sending or receiving signals from aliens.
While these theories remain unproven, researchers recently discovered another mystery at this ancient site. At the heart of Stonehenge is the Altar Stone, a massive slab of sandstone whose origins and purpose have puzzled scholars for nearly 5,000 years.
Now, a new study published in the journal Nature has revealed that this giant rectangular rock originated in Scotland, about 750 km from Stonehenge. According to researchers, the geochemical fingerprint of the Altar Stone completely matches the bedrock found in Scotland. A geochemical fingerprint is a chemical signature that provides information about the origin, formation and environmental context of a geological sample, as explained by GeoScienceWorld.
Although the mystery of the Altar Stone’s origin has been solved, it raises a new question: How did prehistoric people – around 2,500 BC – transport such a huge stone? like that, weighs about 6 tons, is 5 meters long and 1 meter wide, goes everywhere? such a vast distance?
Recently, scientists confirmed that the standing sandstones were transported from Marlborough, a relatively short distance from Stonehenge. However, the Altar Stone in the center of the stone circle has a very different origin, adding to the intrigue surrounding its location.
This discovery surprised the researchers. No other stone from any contemporary monument has been moved such a distance.
“This is absolutely astonishing,” said Robert Ixer, a researcher at University College London.
The mysteries surrounding Stonehenge continue to deepen. Susan Greaney, an archaeologist at the University of Exeter, commented: “The position of this stone in the center, like the heart of the monument, is perfectly aligned with the rising and setting sun on the summer solstice, shows that those ancient people believed in the stone. has special meaning.”
