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Stonehenge Mystery: Altar Stone's Origin Remains Elusive
5 Nov
Summary
- Altar stone's origin remains an enigma despite extensive geological tests.
- Tests suggest the stone likely did not come from north-east Scotland or southern Britain.
- Geologists are continuing the search, possibly in Ireland or elsewhere in Scotland.
The exact origin of Stonehenge's six-tonne altar stone remains an enigma, despite intensive geological investigations undertaken in the past few years. Initial hypotheses suggested a source in north-east Scotland, over 400 miles from the monument.
However, recent, comprehensive analyses of sandstone grains and fragments have made this origin highly unlikely. Experts have also confirmed the stone did not originate from southern Britain. The search now focuses on other regions within Scotland, northern England, or possibly Ireland.
Geologists involved describe the quest as a complex detective story, emphasizing that ruling out potential source areas is a crucial part of the scientific process. While the mystery persists, researchers are systematically narrowing down possibilities, aiming to understand the ancient journey of this significant stone.
