Publication of archaeological studies or reports

Stonehenge Built 5,000 Years Ago to Unify Ancient Britain Using Altar Stone from Northeast Scotland, Study Suggests

Dec 20, 2024, 08:19 AM

New research suggests that Stonehenge, the iconic Neolithic monument in Wiltshire, England, may have been constructed to unify the early inhabitants of Britain around 5,000 years ago. The study, published in Archaeology International, indicates that the stones used in the monument were sourced from various distant regions across Britain, including northeast Scotland and west Wales. This effort to transport stones over long distances, such as the 6-tonne Altar Stone from northeast Scotland, which was moved approximately 435 miles, using primitive tools, points to a significant unifying purpose behind the monument's construction. The research highlights that the Altar Stone, a key component of Stonehenge, was likely brought to the site between 2620 and 2480 BC, suggesting a collaborative effort among ancient communities. The findings also propose that Stonehenge served both a political and religious function, symbolizing unity among the peoples of Britain and their connection to ancestors and the cosmos.