The source of stone used to build Stonehenge around 2500 BC has been debated for more than four centuries.
Recently, a new study showed that the megaliths of Stonehenge in southern England originated from a place only 15.5 miles apart.
The smaller "blue stone" near the center of the monument can be traced back to Wales, but the origin of the sarsen boulder that formed the main building of Stonehenge is still unknown.
Researchers have studied the chemical composition of these stones and found that most of the sarsens boulders and sandstone boulders are from West Woods in Wiltshire, England. Among them, the sarsens boulder is 30 feet high and weighs 25 tons.
Recently, a new study showed that the megaliths of Stonehenge in southern England originated from a place only 15.5 miles apart.
The smaller "blue stone" near the center of the monument can be traced back to Wales, but the origin of the sarsen boulder that formed the main building of Stonehenge is still unknown.
Researchers have studied the chemical composition of these stones and found that most of the sarsens boulders and sandstone boulders are from West Woods in Wiltshire, England. Among them, the sarsens boulder is 30 feet high and weighs 25 tons.
The research was published in the journal "Science Advances". Experts say that these stone statues are ancient versions of "Lego." The lead author of the study, David Nash, said in a statement: "Until recently, we did not know whether there was a possibility of producing (creating) a stone like Sarsen. "
He said: "We use 21st century science to study and understand the Neolithic past, and answer a question that archaeologists have debated for centuries. This is undoubtedly very exciting."
Scientists used portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (PXRF) to analyze the composition of boulders.
The scientist explained in the statement: “Next, the researchers will perform inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on some samples previously drilled from a sarsen boulder and core samples from a series of sarsen boulders in southern England. ) Detection and ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) detection comparison."
The report explains: Among the 52 sarsen boulders on the monument, 50 have the same chemical properties and can be inferred to originate from the same source area. Then, the scientists compared the geochemical characteristics of the core extracted from Stone 58 at Stonehenge with the equivalent data from the Sarsens stone from southern England.
He said: "We use 21st century science to study and understand the Neolithic past, and answer a question that archaeologists have debated for centuries. This is undoubtedly very exciting."
Scientists used portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (PXRF) to analyze the composition of boulders.
The scientist explained in the statement: “Next, the researchers will perform inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on some samples previously drilled from a sarsen boulder and core samples from a series of sarsen boulders in southern England. ) Detection and ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) detection comparison."
The report explains: Among the 52 sarsen boulders on the monument, 50 have the same chemical properties and can be inferred to originate from the same source area. Then, the scientists compared the geochemical characteristics of the core extracted from Stone 58 at Stonehenge with the equivalent data from the Sarsens stone from southern England.
Through the comparison of the test results, the scientists finally identified West Woods in Wiltshire, 25 kilometers north of Stonehenge, as the most likely source area for most of the sarsens on the monument.
They said in a statement: "Why the builders of this megalithic monument chose this location is still a mystery. Although the researchers believe that the size and quality of the stones in West Woods and the ease with which the builders can transport and use them, these reasons may be the decision."
They said in a statement: "Why the builders of this megalithic monument chose this location is still a mystery. Although the researchers believe that the size and quality of the stones in West Woods and the ease with which the builders can transport and use them, these reasons may be the decision."
