A recent study published in Archaeology International provides new perspectives on the origins and function of Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England. This iconic structure may have been reconstructed between 2620 and 2480 BCE as a deliberate effort to unite dispersed communities of Neolithic Britain.
Led by Mike Parker Pearson, a professor at University College London, the research indicates that the Altar Stone, one of Stonehenge's central monoliths, was transported from northeast Scotland, covering a distance of over 700 kilometers. This extraordinary logistical effort would have required the use of wooden sledges and advanced transportation techniques for the time, involving the collaboration of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. Parker Pearson stated, 'The reconstruction of Stonehenge may have been a response to a social crisis, an attempt to unify local agricultural communities with newcomers from the European continent.'
The study links this monumental effort to the arrival of the Bell Beaker people, a migratory group from Europe that introduced technological innovations such as the wheel and metallurgy, significantly altering the genetic and cultural composition of the British population. It also highlights similarities between Stonehenge and stone circles in northeast Scotland, particularly those with reclining monoliths. These sociocultural connections reinforce the hypothesis that the Altar Stone could have been a symbolic gift from northern communities, representing an alliance or sacred bond.
Archaeological evidence suggests a cultural exchange network existed between the north and south of Britain during this period. The shared use of Grooved Ware pottery and architectural similarities in settlements from both regions support the idea of a broader connection. Thus, Stonehenge was not only a site of religious or astronomical significance, as suggested by its alignment with solstices, but also a political and symbolic center of unity.
The study proposes that the arrangement of the stones may have represented an attempt at reconciliation during a time of social and cultural transformation. However, the massive influx of European immigrants drastically altered population dynamics, leaving Stonehenge as a testament to a unification effort that did not endure.
Despite these advancements, the exact origin of the Altar Stone remains under investigation. Archaeologists continue to explore northeast Scotland to identify the precise extraction site of the monolith. Richard Bevins, a co-author of the study and geology expert, noted, 'It is fascinating to see how this research is transforming our understanding of Stonehenge. Although it has been studied for centuries, we continue to uncover entirely new aspects of this iconic site.'