Stonehenge mystery deepens as stone altar origins are questioned

The mystery of Stonehenge's stone altar is becoming even more intriguing. The latest research suggests that the origin of this crucial structure element is far more complicated than previously thought. What discoveries have scientists managed to uncover?

For centuries, Stonehenge has fascinated people and harboured many unsolved enigmas. Although researchers have been trying for years to discover where the stones that make up this famous monument come from, the answers to the most critical questions still elude scientific precision. The Stonehenge stone altar is particularly interesting, and its origin was considered to have been resolved for years. However, the latest discoveries cast doubt on previous theories and lead to new, surprising conclusions.

For years, Stonehenge has fascinated researchers and history enthusiasts. Known for its mysterious stone circles, this place still has many unresolved enigmas. The Stonehenge stone altar, the central element of this structure, has piqued the interest of scientists from around the world for years. So far, it has been established that the stones from which the monument was built do not come from the area around Stonehenge, and their origin stretches even hundreds of kilometres away. Despite numerous studies, many questions remain unanswered. Who and why decided to create this monumental object? And how did they manage to transport these massive rocks?

Only in recent years, thanks to modern research methods such as chemical analysis and spectroscopy, have we begun to uncover the true story of the Stonehenge stone altar gradually. What has been considered a certainty – the origin of the stones – is even more complicated than previously thought. Each subsequent discovery leads us to increasingly surprising conclusions.

The latest research on the Stonehenge stone altar sheds new light on its origin. For a long time, it was assumed that the stone known as the Altar came from Wales, like many other structural elements. However, research conducted in recent years has changed this perspective. In 2023, scientists announced a sensational discovery: the Stonehenge stone altar does not come from Wales but from northeastern Scotland.

Moreover, chemical and microscopic analysis, supported by modern spectroscopic techniques, ruled out the most likely place of origin – the Orkney Islands, which many experts considered the source of the stone. These results surprised even the researchers, who expected consistency with other megalithic monuments in Orkney.

Although the exclusion of Orkney may seem like a step back, researchers agree that this result brings them closer to uncovering the true origin of the Altar. As one of the study's authors, Dr Rob Ixer, says:

Everybody and their dog would have said: ‘Let’s try Orkney first. It’s going to be Orkney. Life would have been far simpler had it turned out to be similar to the stones of Brodgar. It’s thrilling to know that our chemical analysis and dating work is slowly unlocking this great mystery," he emphasised.

Currently, scientists are focusing on a detailed analysis of various areas in northeastern Scotland to determine precisely where this mysterious stone comes from. Each subsequent study brings us closer to solving the enigma that has fascinated researchers worldwide for centuries.