Ancient Transport: The Journey of the Devil's Arrows Stones Revealed

Recent research has unveiled the impressive feat of prehistoric builders who transported massive stones for the Devil's Arrows, a remarkable standing stone alignment in Yorkshire. Scientists have determined that these stones were moved over 18 kilometers (11 miles) by human hands, challenging previous assumptions that glacial movements were responsible for their placement.

Published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, the study highlights the significance of the Devil's Arrows, which stands as Britain's tallest stone alignment. Co-author Jim Leary from the University of York remarked on the previous lack of attention given to such sites in comparison to more famous monuments like Stonehenge. He noted, "We have now proved that Neolithic communities moved several 25-ton stones across Yorkshire, transforming a familiar site into an epic quest to create a sacred landscape."

This research draws parallels with ongoing studies of Stonehenge, where chemical analyses have traced the origins of its stones. Notably, a 2019 study found that the bluestones of Stonehenge originated from western Wales, while the sarsen stones were sourced much closer from the Marlborough Downs, located 25 to 30 km (17 miles) away.

Source: arstechnica.com