Archaeologists: Prehistoric Builders Moved Devil's Arrows 11 Miles
New research confirms prehistoric communities transported 25-ton stones 11 miles, transforming a landscape into a sacred quest.
Scientists have confirmed that Britain's tallest standing stone alignment, the Devil's Arrows, is composed of stones transported from a site 18 kilometers (11 miles) away. Previously, it was unclear if the stones originated from closer locations or were moved by glacial action.
The new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A, clearly indicates that Neolithic communities were responsible for moving the stones. These stones, weighing up to 25 tons each, transformed a familiar site into an epic quest to create a sacred landscape.
"Monumental sites like the Devil's Arrows have remained comparatively understudied compared to sites in southern England and Scotland, despite their significance," said co-author Jim Leary from the University of York.
The research adds to the understanding of ancient construction methods and human capabilities to move significant amounts of material over long distances without modern technology. Similar analyses have been conducted on Stonehenge, revealing the distant origins of its stones as well.