(ORDO NEWS) — British scientists believe that the stones at the base of one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world – Stonehenge – were transported from Wales to the English county of Wiltshire by land, and not floated on water, as previously assumed, the Times reported citing a study in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure located 130 kilometers southwest of London in the English county of Wiltshire. The complex was built about four to five thousand years ago. In 1986, the building was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is known that the large boulders of sandstone that form the outer ring come from southern Wiltshire (where the monument is located). Small “blue stones” and a six-ton monolith in the center of the monument were delivered from afar, from Wales. In particular, it was believed that the altar stone was brought from the city of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire County (West Wales).
The mystery for a long time remained the way by which the stones fell into Wiltshire. The theory that stones were rafted from Wales on rafts along the Bristol Gulf was widespread. At the same time, it remained unknown how exactly they were lowered from the steep hills of the mountain region of Presel.
According to a new study in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the most likely explanation is that stones were transported across the land from the mountains of Priscilla Wales through the mouth of the River Severn. In favor of this theory is evidence of the real place of origin of the altar stone. According to the study, it is located much east of the original assumptions – in the city of Abergavenny (Monmouthshire County), near the border of England and Wales. The route proposed in the study runs through this city, which speaks in favor of the theory of ground delivery of stones.
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