The iconic construction has stood on the Salisbury plain in the UK since as early as 2600BC but their meaning and origin has long been forgotten. While scientists and historians continue to argue about how and why Stonehenge came to be there, experts are a step closer to uncovering quarrying?s greatest secret.
A team of researchers led by Robert Ixer from the University of Leicester and Richard Bevins from The National Museum of Wales have told the UK?s Daily Mail that they?ve identified the quarry from whence Stonehenge came: a site 250km away.
The bluestones that comprise the circle are a volcanic rock called rhyolite ? which is harder than granite ? a material that simply doesn?t exist on the Salisbury Plain. However, the researchers believe they?ve identified a small quarry at Craig Rhos-y-Felin in north Pembrokeshire, Wales, which matches the profile of the Stonehenge bluestones.
Although the researchers believe they have found the source of the stones, they still have no idea about how our ancient ancestors would have shifted them. Scientists are currently searching for signs of human remains, or evidence as to how the rocks were ?rolled, sledged and rafted down the River Avon? to reach their destination.
?It?s still something of a mystery but we are now a step closer to getting the answers,? Professor Geoff Wainwright, former chief archaeologist at English Heritage, told the Daily Mail.
Sources: The Daily Mail, The Australian, The Telegraph