Altar Stone Origins Theory Disproves Scottish Source

A new study has refuted the earlier theory that the Altar Stone at Stonehenge originated in north east Scotland. The research, published in the Journal of the Geological Society, examined the stone's geological properties and found no matching locations in the Orcadian Basin area.

The Altar Stone, a 4.9 metre sandstone slab weighing six tonnes, was previously thought to have come from Wales. However, recent findings have shifted focus to other potential origins, with researchers now better positioned to narrow down possibilities.

Professor Duncan Pirrie from the University of South Wales led the study, which he described as the most comprehensive geological investigation of the Altar Stone ever conducted. The research combined new observations with analysis of stone fragments from museum collections.

Professor Nick Pearce from Aberystwyth University emphasized that eliminating potential sources is as important as identifying new ones. He noted that each location ruled out brings the team closer to understanding the stone's origin.

The Altar Stone is unique among the stones at Stonehenge, and determining its source could offer new insights into how it was transported to Salisbury Plain thousands of years ago. The monument itself was built in multiple phases between 3000 and 1600 BC.

While some smaller bluestones are known to have come from west Wales, the Altar Stone's origin remains one of the enduring mysteries of Stonehenge.