Study Proposes Glacier Moved Altar Stone to Doggerland Before Human Transport

A study published in the Journal of Quaternary Science proposes that Stonehenge's six-tonne altar stone was carried by glacier from north-east Scotland to Doggerland during the last Ice Age before being moved by people to Salisbury Plain. The altar stone is believed to originate in the Orcadian Basin, about 435 miles from its current location.

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University and Curtin University in Australia say the stone was deposited in Doggerland, a now-submerged area off England's east coast that once connected Britain to mainland Europe.

After the glacier left the stone in Doggerland, prehistoric people are thought to have moved it south, possibly along routes near the Berkshire Ridgeway. The study states there were no viable glacial pathways linking the source region directly to southern England, indicating human transport was required for the final stages.

The paper says the journey likely combined overland hauling with river or coastal transport and required planning across multiple stages.

Doggerland was abandoned due to rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. A co-lead author from Sheffield Hallam University said the changing climate may explain why people moved the stone at least twice, first to avoid submersion and later to Salisbury Plain.

The study indicates the findings point to a level of organisation among Neolithic communities not previously fully appreciated. Future research will aim to pinpoint the altar stone's exact source in north-east Scotland and examine possible transport routes.