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Cracking the Code of Stonehenge: A Megalithic Enigma Solved After a Century
Stonehenge has continued to intrigue scientists for years. Researchers have long wondered how, 5,000 years ago, builders transported and arranged such massive stones into the form of a giant megalith. The purpose of this remarkable structure has also remained unexplained. New research is shedding light on the mystery of Europe’s most famous megalithic monument.
Almost everyone is familiar with Stonehenge. The world’s most famous megalithic structure is located near the town of Salisbury in southern England. The first phase of building this circle of vertically placed stones dates back to the Neolithic period (around 2950–2900 BCE). For a long time, researchers have pondered how it was possible to transport such large rocks and construct the complex structure that it comprises.
The Mystery of the “Altar Stone”
At the center of Stonehenge lies the Altar Stone, also known as Stone 80. Until now, it was believed that this stone, like the others, came from a location approximately 240 km away from the megalithic monument, specifically from the Old Red Sandstone formation in western Wales, which formed around 400 million years ago. This theory had dominated the scientific world for over 100 years. However, it now appears that it may be overturned.
