Inside Salisbury: Exciting new revelation about Stonehenge

New origin revealed for 7 metres-high sarsen stones

by Annette J Beveridge

There has been much controversy about the origins of the stones which make up the well-known and revered Stonehenge but now new analysis has revealed something considerable.

It has long been known that the bluestones are linked to outcrops in West Wales, and in particular, from the Preseli Hills but there has been little research into the sarsen stones located at the monument.

In 2020, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry data showed that in all except two of the extant sarsens, there was a shared common chemical composition.

Comparing geochemical data

Now comparisons of geochemical data from 20 areas of natural sarsen crops across southern England confirmed that the origins might not be far away. This makes sense as the stones weigh approximately 20 tonnes and stand up to 7 meters in height.

Geomorphologist, Professor David Nash, finally solved the mystery. Thanks to modern scientific techniques, along with a sample drilled from Stone 58 in the 1950s, when repairs were needed. The core sample had long been forgotten but had finally made its way back to English Heritage.

The results

This enabled Professor Nash and his colleagues to analyse the interior of the stones. This revealed that most stones including Stone 58 shared a remarkably similar chemical makeup and matched the chemistry of sarsen stones which can be seen in West Woods, Marlborough.

This research was first published in the journal Science Direct and English Heritage has been approached for comment.