Find the origin of the blue rocks at Stonehenge?

According to a recent study, scientists have discovered the exact origin of blue rocks at Stonehenge (England).

>>>New theory about the formation of Stonehenge

The structure of these rocks suggests that they were taken from an open rock bed about 3 kilometers from where it was supposed to have originated nearly a century ago. This finding could help archaeologists explain the mystery of the appearance of blue rocks at Stonehenge.

This study: 'Identified the exact origin of the rocks and pointed out areas where archaeologists could find evidence of their artificiality ', according to geologists and co-workers. author of research Richard Bevins of the National Museum of Wales.

The first megalithic blocks at Stonehenge were erected 5,000 years ago and the lost cultures continued to contribute to this megalithic community for a millennium. The population consists of massive sandstone blocks weighing about 30 tons and smaller blue rocks.

For decades, researchers have proposed many theories. In 1923, geologist Herbert H. Thomas pointed out that the origin of dolerite is here from a Carneyini open rock formation in the Preseli hill plateau in West Wales. He believes that other blue rocks also come from nearby. This hypothesizes that Stonehenge builders have moved the stone to the south through the Bristol channel and brought them across the sea.

The locations are likely to be the starting point of the blue rocks at Stonehenge

But a few years ago, Bevins and his colleagues discovered that some blue rocks originated from a place of lower elevation than the sea surface named Craig Rhos. If this is true, it means that those who built Stonehenge moved the stone over the hill before moving to the sea boat. Another theory is that glaciers brought blue rocks to Stonehenge in the last ice age.

In this new study, scientists focus on minerals such as chromium, nickel, magnesium oxide and iron oxide, which are involved in crystalline structures. They discovered at least 55% of dolerite rocks from Carn Goedog, a farther north than Thomas mentioned in 1923, and about 225km from Stonehenge. Accordingly, the theory of moving rocks through the sea becomes uncertain.

This new finding raises many more questions about how the stones appeared at Stonehenge. However, finding the exact origin of the rocks will help archaeologists find evidence of the presence of ancient humans nearby, as well as reveal how to transport stones.

Photo: livescience.com

"For example, if we can confirm that the stones have passed the hand of the Neolithic man, the theory of glaciers will be broken," Bevins said.