Secrets of Stonehenge

 Stonehenge, this iconic Neolithic monument located in the heart of England, has long been a center of interest for history enthusiasts and scientists alike. Among the huge megaliths that rise on this mysterious plain, one stone has always aroused the most controversy - the Altar Stone, also called stone number 80.

Even though this impressive stone slab, once almost 5 meters high, lies buried now, scientists continue to be interested in it. The origins of the stones at Stonehenge have long been the subject of debate and research, and recent discoveries are shedding new light on the history of the Altar Stone.

It is generally accepted that the so-called blue stones that form the inner ring of the Stonehenge megaliths were brought from the area of Mynydd Preseli in Wales, 225 km away from the monument. Moving these huge stones over such a distance was undoubtedly a masterpiece of Stone Age engineering.

For years, the prevailing belief was that Kamień 80 also came from this region. However, that all changed with the latest study, which focused on the geochemical and mineralogical analysis of an ancient red sandstone (ORS) located in West Wales.

Led by geologist Dr Richard Bevins of Aberystwyth University, the research team made a significant discovery. Analysis has shown that the barium content in the Altar Stone is significantly higher than in the bluestones from Mynydd Preseli.

The study shows that of the 58 ORS samples analyzed, only four had a similar composition to the Altar Stone. This discovery indicates the need to search for another source of this unusual stone.

Scientists have suggested that rocks from the Permian or Triassic periods, which were formed about 200-300 million years ago, may provide the key to solving this mystery. They point to areas such as Northern Ireland, north-east Wales and north-west England as potential places of origin of the Altar Stone.

In light of this new research, previous theories about the construction of Stonehenge and the origins of its stones are being called into question. As Dr. Bevins emphasizes: "We need to rethink previous assumptions and look for the true source of the Altar Stone in a different place than previously thought. Our research sheds new light on the history of this fascinating place and forces us to rethink the origin of some of its stones."

Not only geologists have new observations about this mysterious megalith. Dr Mike Parker Pearson, distinguished archaeologist at University College London, comments: 'Stonehenge continues to provide new puzzles. The fact that the Altar Stone differs in composition from bluestones turns upside down many of our previous theories about the transportation and choice of materials for the construction of this monument. These latest discoveries open up new avenues of research and give us the opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding of this extraordinary structure and the community that built it."

Moreover, the new study may provide answers to questions that have remained unresolved for years. Where did Neolithic builders get a stone with such unique properties? What technologies and transportation methods did they use to get it to the site? Did the choice of specific stones have a deeper, symbolic meaning for ancient communities?

Although many questions remain unanswered, one thing is certain - Stonehenge still hides many secrets waiting to be discovered. Every new study, every stone sample, and every scrap of information contributes to putting together more pieces of this fascinating puzzle.

In the era of advanced technology and access to modern research methods, ancient civilizations are still a source of inspiration and amazement for us. Thanks to the work of scientists such as Dr. Bevins and Dr. Parker Pearson, we are gradually unmasking the secrets of the past and getting to the heart of humanity's cultural and historical heritage. After all, as the famous saying goes, to understand the future, we must first understand our past.