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Has the mystery of how Preseli rock got stonehenge finally been solved?
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- ‘Lost’ Boulder Proves the Bluestones Were Transported from Wales by Glacier Ice – and NOT by Humans, Study Claims
A NEW study of the ‘lost’ Newall Boulder suggests it was transported by ice, potentially overturning the theory that humans moved the stones for Stonehenge.
How Neolithic humans might have transported so many huge boulders from Wales to Stonehenge is one of archaeology’s most enduring mysteries. However, a new study of a ‘lost’ boulder taken from the Stonehenge site over 90 years ago suggests that humans might not have moved the stones at all.
Dr Brian John, a retired geology lecturer from Durham University who lives in Pembrokeshire, argues that this bluestone boulder bears marks which suggest it was moved by glacial ice. This would undermine the common theory that the bluestone was quarried in the Preseli Hills of southwest Wales and manually transported to the Salisbury Plain.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ice-1-1024x441.jpg)
Dr John said: “I think it’s hugely significant because it supports the assumption I’ve had for some years that these are not humanly-transported.”
In addition to the tall Sarsen stones that make up Stonehenge’s distinctive appearance, the site is also home to around 80 smaller bluestones. It is generally agreed that these stones originate from the Preseli Hills of south-west Wales, but how they got to Stonehenge is often debated.
Dr John’s argument centres on an analysis of a bluestone boulder about the size of a human skull, known as the Newall boulder. This boulder was first excavated in 1924 by the geologists Colonel Hawley and Robert Newall. Hawley originally thought the rock was just a piece of rubbish and wanted to throw it away rather than analyse it. However, Newall saved the stone from the rubbish heap and placed it in a cardboard box in his attic alongside a number of other finds from the site.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BRIAN-JOHN-676x1024.jpg)
The boulder remained there until Newall passed it over to the Salisbury Museum shortly before he died in 1976. There was a brief burst of interest in the boulder around 1977, but then it was placed back into storage and effectively forgotten for another 46 years.
However, in 2022, Dr John found a reference to the boulder and asked the Museum Director, Adrian Green, if it was still in storage. On discovering that it was, he was given permission to examine it and undertake a careful examination of its surface features.
Through a detailed analysis of the boulder’s surface, Dr John identified a series of marks that suggest glacial, rather than human transport. “Glacially transported boulders tend to have facets,” Dr John explains. “That means they’ve got a number of different faces at angles to one another which actually indicated where a boulder has been abraded or, basically, sanded down.”
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BLUESTONES-copy-1024x713.jpg)
As boulders move with a glacier, they get flipped over from side to side, creating several different flat faces with rounded edges, just like the Newall boulder. In addition, the boulder bears a series of scratches and small fractures, called striations and chatter marks, which are often caused by glacial transport.
And although the Newall Boulder isn’t exactly the same type of rock as the other bluestones, Dr John says this is exactly what his theory would predict. He says: “It’s often claimed in popular articles that the bluestones are all made of spotted dolerite which is this type of igneous rock we get on the Preseli Hills but they’re actually about 30 different rock types. That enormous range of rock types is absolutely typical of the way that ice travels across the terrain and picks up boulders from here there and everywhere.”
Dr John suggests that this provides convincing evidence that the Newall boulder and all of the smaller bluestone boulders at Stonehenge were moved by glacier. His claims land him squarely at the centre of one of Stonehenge’s most contentious debates. The idea that the stones were transported to Salisbury Plain began with the geologist Herbert Henry Thomas in 1923. Although Thomas was quite spectacularly wrong about almost everything, the human transport theory is still extremely popular.
A team of researchers led by Professor Mike Parker Pearson of UCL have been some of the most active proponents of this theory, arguing that the stones were moved over land. Recently, Professor Pearson and his team even claimed to have discovered evidence which identifies the quarry of the Stonehenge bluestone, dating this to 3000 BC.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BLUESTONES-2-copy-1024x665.jpg)
However, Dr John now says his discovery should “open up the debate” for a consideration of other theories. He says: “Herbert Thomas thought that because glacial transport was impossible they must have been carried by human beings. That’s now part of our national myth because people have not seriously questioned it before; it’s just been accepted as the truth.”
Instead of the orderly and rather deliberate building project we sometimes imagine Stonehenge to be, Dr John says: “I think it’s always been a bit of a shambles.” He argues that the Neolithic builders simply used the stones they had in their immediate vicinity, rearranging and moving the smaller bluestones as needed. And, when they eventually had to travel too far to gather more stones, the project was simply abandoned in the state we now find it. “It was a Neolithic cost-benefit analysis that eventually the costs of getting the stones were greater than the benefits that were coming from it,” he says.
However, the ultimate test for his theory would be cosmogenic dating – a test to determine how long rocks have been exposed to the surface by measuring their exposure to cosmic rays. If Dr John is right, the deeply weathered surface of the rocks should have been exposed to the elements for hundreds of thousands of years. Alternatively, if the stones were quarried they should only have been exposed to cosmic radiation for around 3,000 to 5,000 years.
While the debate over the origin of the stones is still very much alive, Dr John believes the evidence of weathering will remain strong. He concludes: “I’m very confident that if one or other university can get its act together and actually get this done these stones will be seen to have been subject to cosmogenic bombardment from the atmosphere for possibly hundreds of thousands of years. That would knock the quarrying idea on its head once and for all.”
Community
Major military exercise begins today at Castlemartin
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/live-firing-scaled.jpg)
The Ministry of Defence has announced the commencement of “Exercise Iron Storm,” a significant military training operation taking place at Castlemartin Range over the next two weeks. The exercise, which runs from 24th June until 5th July, aims to enhance the operational readiness of the UK’s armed forces.
This critical exercise will enable troops to be trained for any future operational requirements, both within the UK and overseas. The Ministry of Defence emphasizes the importance of this exercise in maintaining the nation’s defense capabilities.
Residents near Castlemartin Range are advised that live firing will occur from Monday to Friday. The firing schedule is set to start at approximately 09:00 hrs and conclude at 18:00 hrs. However, on Monday, 24th June, and Tuesday, 25th June, night firing will extend until 03:00 hrs. Although these times mark the earliest and latest possible firing hours, not all days will adhere strictly to this schedule.
In addition to live fire exercises, military vehicles will be active over the weekends, further contributing to the comprehensive training agenda. The Ministry of Defence has also planned a public briefing prior to the exercise, scheduled for 18:30 hrs on 13th June at Castlemartin Camp (SA71 5EB). A post-exercise briefing will be held on 10th July at 18:30 hrs. Pre-booking is not required for either event.
- Exercise Duration: 24th June – 5th July
- Daily Firing Times: 09:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs
- Night Firing: 24th & 25th June until 03:00 hrs
- Post-Exercise Briefing: 10th July at 18:30 hrs
The Ministry of Defence says it appreciates the local community’s continued support and understanding during “Exercise Iron Storm.” This exercise is a vital part of ensuring that the UK’s armed forces remain highly trained and ready to respond to any threats.
Community
Coastguard responds to coasteering injury at Abereiddy’s Blue Lagoon
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ambulance-etc-e1719239971906.jpg)
ON SUNDAY (JUN 23), HM Coastguard Fishguard responded to an emergency at the Abereiddy Blue Lagoon. The incident, which occurred at approximately 16:28, involved a casualty who had sustained a lower back injury while coasteering.
The individual was brought ashore on a paddle board and located on the beach, where HM Coastguard – St Davids was already in attendance. Coastguards assessed the casualty’s injuries and transferred them onto a stretcher, subsequently carrying them from the beach to the car park.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/injured-1024x817.jpg)
The RNLI St Davids Lifeboat was also tasked with attending the scene, providing vital pain relief until the arrival of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust. Upon the ambulance’s arrival, the casualty was handed over for further treatment and transport to the hospital.
The prompt and coordinated response by the Coastguard teams and the RNLI ensured that the casualty received swift medical attention.
Community
Lifeboat station’s open day a community success!
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lifeboat-open-day-1.jpg)
THE RNLI St Davids Lifeboat Station hosted a successful open day today, drawing in locals and visitors alike. The event featured full station tours and refreshments, with many enjoying a relaxing cuppa and cake along the picturesque coast path.
The station expressed heartfelt thanks to the community for their generous support. A special mention was made for the local bakers who donated an array of delicious cakes, which were sold to raise funds for the lifeboat station. The total amount raised will be announced shortly.
The open day was made possible by the dedicated volunteers, crew members, and fundraisers who selflessly give their time to the vital mission of saving lives at sea. Their unwavering commitment and hard work are truly commendable.
“We salute you,” the RNLI St Davids Lifeboat Station stated in their message of gratitude.
The event underscored the strong community spirit and the shared commitment to supporting the life-saving efforts of the RNLI.
Over £650 was raised, the RNLI said.
John Williams, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St Davids RNLI lifeboat, added: “On behalf of St Davids Lifeboat station, I just wanted to extend our warmest gratitude to each and every one of you who joined us for our station open day. Your presence and interaction with our stations team made the event a truly special occasion!
“A big shout-out to our dedicated fundraisers, volunteers and crew who generously gave their time to showcase our station to the public. Special thanks to all those who baked and donated cakes for the event, their delicious contributions were a massive success! Without your unwavering support and the donations you made, we wouldn’t be able to continue our life-saving mission around our coastline.”
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/boat-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/yummy-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lifeboat-open-day-2-768x1024.jpg)
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