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Researchers at Aberystwyth University have put an end to the debate over how the boulders at Stonehenge made their way to the monument. The ancient site, located near Salisbury in south-west England, is known for its large stones sourced from different parts of Great Britain, particularly the smaller bluestone megaliths believed to have come from north Pembrokeshire, 140 miles away. While some archaeologists argue that these stones were transported by humans, others claim they were carried by glacial ice long before the construction of Stonehenge.
The study, led by Professor Richard Bevins, focused on the Newall Boulder, a rock excavated at Stonehenge in 1924 and originally from Craig Rhos-y-Felin in Pembrokeshire. The team’s new research, published in the Journal for Archaeological Research, refutes the theory of glacial transport. According to Professor Bevins, there is “no evidence for ice extending as far south as Salisbury Plain,” where Stonehenge is situated. The findings suggest that the boulder was likely transported by Neolithic people rather than glaciers.
The team’s work challenges the idea that the boulder’s shape was altered during glacial transport, arguing that most of the characteristics mentioned could be due to surface weathering. Furthermore, they point out the absence of spotted dolorite rocks, known as bluestones, beyond certain areas in Pembrokeshire, supporting the theory of human transport. The absence of specific rocks along the route from west Wales to Stonehenge further strengthens the case for human involvement in moving the bluestones to the monument.
Overall, the research conducted by Aberystwyth University sheds new light on the origins of the bluestones at Stonehenge. By providing evidence against the glacial transport theory, the study supports the idea that ancient humans played a significant role in the construction of this iconic monument over 5,000 years ago. The findings contribute to our understanding of how these massive stones were transported and placed at one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world
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