A groundbreaking new theory may finally unravel one of Stonehenge's most enduring mysteries: how the six-tonne altar stone travelled from north-east Scotland to Salisbury Plain. Researchers from Sheffield Hallam University and Curtin University in Australia propose that the sandstone monolith was transported by glacier to Doggerland—a now-submerged Neolithic landscape off England's east coast—during the last Ice Age, before being moved south by prehistoric Britons.
Journey from the Orcadian Basin
The altar stone, weighing six tonnes, is believed to originate from the Orcadian Basin in northern Scotland, approximately 435 miles from its final resting place. The exact route has long puzzled archaeologists. The new study, published in the Journal of Quaternary Science, suggests that glacial ice carried the stone to Doggerland, which once connected Britain to mainland Europe but was abandoned due to rising sea levels and is now submerged under the North Sea.
Climate-Induced Migration
Dr Remy Veness, co-lead author from Sheffield Hallam University, explained: “We recently discovered that the origin of the altar stone is north-east Scotland, but how it travelled 700km to Salisbury Plain is widely debated. Our research gives a new plausible explanation for part of the journey.” She added that changing climate may have prompted the “audacious” decision to move the stone: “The altar stone must have been significant enough for people to be willing to move it at least twice—first to save it from being submerged by rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age, and then again to its final resting place on Salisbury Plain.” This suggests that the construction of Stonehenge may have begun as a result of climate-induced migration.
Human Transport and Coordination
Co-lead author Dr Anthony Clarke from Curtin University noted that the journey was far from simple. “Rather than being carried naturally by ice, the evidence points to a deliberate, carefully planned movement across a challenging and varied landscape,” he said. “Our modelling shows glaciers may have transported rocks part of the way during the last Ice Age—potentially as far as Dogger Bank in the North Sea—but not into southern England, meaning the stone would still have needed to be moved hundreds of kilometres by people.” The research indicates no viable glacial pathways directly linking the source region to Stonehenge, reinforcing the conclusion that human transport was required. The stone was likely moved in stages, combining overland hauling with river or coastal transport where possible.
Implications for Neolithic Society
The findings reveal a level of organisation and co-operation among Neolithic communities not previously fully appreciated. “Transporting a stone of this size over such a long distance would have required planning, co-ordination and a deep understanding of the landscape—not to mention tremendous determination,” Dr Clarke said. From Doggerland, the altar stone could have been moved close to the Berkshire Ridgeway, the oldest road in Europe, which was active at the time of Stonehenge and may have eased travel to Salisbury Plain.
Future Research
Future studies will aim to pinpoint the altar stone’s exact source in north-east Scotland and further investigate possible transport routes used by prehistoric communities. The study, titled From Highlands To Henge: Refining The Provenance And Transport Pathways Of Stonehenge’s Altar Stone, was published in the Journal of Quaternary Science.
