The origin of Stonehenge: Where did the giant stones come from?

Introduction

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, and is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic structures in the world. One of the biggest questions surrounding the site is where the giant stones used to construct the monument came from. The origin of the stones used to construct Stonehenge is still a mystery, and there are many theories about how they were transported. In this article, we will explore the different theories surrounding the transportation of the stones used in the construction of Stonehenge.

 


Types of Stones

The stones used in the construction of Stonehenge are classified into two types: the smaller "bluestones" and the larger "sarsen stones." The bluestones, which weigh up to 4 tons, were transported from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 150 miles away. The sarsen stones, which weigh up to 50 tons, came from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles north of the site.

 

Theories

The question of how these massive stones were transported such a great distance has puzzled researchers for centuries. Many theories have been proposed to explain how the stones were transported, but none of the theories have been proven.

 

Theory 1: Sea and River Transport

One theory is that the stones were transported by sea and then up rivers to the site. However, there is no evidence to support this theory, and it is highly unlikely that ancient people would have had the ability to move such massive stones by sea.

 

Theory 2: Overland Transport

Another theory is that the stones were transported over land using a combination of rollers, levers, and sheer human strength. This theory is supported by the fact that many of the stones at Stonehenge show signs of having been dragged over long distances, including grooves and scratches on their surfaces. However, it is hard to believe that ancient people would have had the technology or organization to move stones weighing up to 50 tons over such a long distance.

 

Theory 3: Rocking and Rolling

Recent research suggests that the stones may have been transported using a technique known as "rocking and rolling." This method involves digging trenches in front of the stones and then rocking them back and forth until they move. This method is thought to have been used by ancient cultures in many parts of the world, including the ancient Egyptians and Incas.

 

Theory 4: Glacial Transport

Another theory suggests that the stones were brought to the site using a combination of human labor and ice-age glaciers, which pushed the stones from their origin all the way to the Salisbury Plain.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the origin of the stones used to construct Stonehenge is still a mystery. The stones were transported from two different locations, the bluestones were transported from the Preseli Hills in Wales and the sarsen stones were transported from the Marlborough Downs. Many theories have been proposed to explain how the stones were transported, such as by sea, over land, or by glaciers. But none of the theories have been proven. The fact that the stones were brought from such a great distance suggests that the people who built the monument had a deep understanding of the landscape and the resources available to them, but we still don't know for sure how they did it. The construction of Stonehenge was a massive undertaking that required great skill, knowledge, and resources. The mystery of how ancient people moved these massive stones is still one of the many unanswered questions surrounding Stonehenge.

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