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Stonehenge Altar Stone remains a mystery as theory overturned

BBC • November 5, 2026 • world

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A new study has ruled out northeast Scotland as the origin of the six-tonne Altar Stone at Stonehenge, overturning a previous theory that it came from that area.
The Altar Stone, a 4.9-meter sandstone slab, was initially believed to have originated in Wales, but recent research shifted focus to Scotland before the latest study disproved this.
The investigation, led by Professor Duncan Pirrie, involved detailed geological analysis and is described as the most comprehensive study of the Altar Stone to date, helping to narrow down potential source locations.
Experts emphasize that eliminating possible origins is crucial to eventually identifying the true source, which would shed light on the stone's remarkable journey to Salisbury Plain.
The findings were published in the Journal of the Geological Society and contribute to ongoing research into the diverse origins of Stonehenge's stones, some of which traveled significant distances over 4,000 years ago.

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