New Evidence Suggests Stone Age People Moved Massive Stonehenge Boulders Without Glaciers
A recent discovery has shed light on the incredible feat of moving massive Stonehenge boulders over 200 kilometers to the inner ring of Stonehenge, all without the assistance of glaciers. These bluestones, weighing up to 3.5 tonnes each, were transported by early humans, showcasing a remarkable level of planning and organization in the Neolithic era.
Back in 1924, the Newall Boulder was unearthed by archaeologist William Hawley, sparking a debate between the glacial transport theory and the human effort theory. Recent analysis by archaeologist Richard E. Bevins and his team suggests that the marks on the stones were not caused by glaciers but were made by human hands, supported by surface weathering evidence.
The research indicates that the Newall Boulder originated from an outcrop of rock in the Preseli Mountains in Wales, known as Craig Rhos-y-Felin. This finding was further supported by a geochemical signature match, leaving no doubt about its origin.
Despite some opposition to this theory, the absence of other spotted dolerite erratics in the vicinity argues strongly in favor of human transport over glacial movement. The mystery of how these stones were transported such long distances still remains unsolved.
Recent studies have also revealed that the central Alter stone, Stone 80, was transported a staggering 750 kilometers from a site in Scotland. If proven true, these findings highlight the incredible feats of ingenuity and engineering achieved by early humans through sheer determination and teamwork.
This groundbreaking research was recently published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, shedding new light on the ancient mysteries of Stonehenge.
