Overview

Scenarios

Analysis

Evidence

Sources

Discussion

This analysis is based on an older version of our inference model which is accurate but more difficult to read

Question

How were the bluestones transported to Stonehenge?

04 Jan, 2016

This topic is part of a broader analysis on

Why was Stonehenge built?

Scenarios

Calculated Conclusions

Conclusions

1

Glacier flow:

The

bluestones

were moved from

Preseli

to the Stonehenge area by a glacier flow (and then manually transported less than 5 kilometers).

2

Manual (no glacier):

The

bluestones

were manually transported from

Preseli

to Stonehenge; there was no glacier flow from

Preseli

to Salisbury plains.

3

Manual (unrelated glacier):

The

bluestones

were manually transported from

Preseli

to Stonehenge; there was an unrelated glacier flow in Salisbury plains.

Implied plausibility

Likelihoods based only on other elements of the analysis, not considering evidence of this sub-topic.

Glacier flow

71%

Manual (no glacier)

28%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

1.5%

Compatibility with evidence

Likelihoods based only on evidence of this sub-topic, assuming all hypotheses equally plausible.

Glacier flow

92%

Manual (no glacier)

Manual (unrelated glacier)

0.2%

Conclusion

Final likelihoods, combining plausibility and evidence.

Glacier flow

92%

Manual (no glacier)

Manual (unrelated glacier)

0.2%

Analysis

The stones of Stonehenge (4 items)

Chlorine-36 dating of rocks taken from Stonehenge indicates approximately 14,000 years of exposure to the sun.

Sources: Professor D.Q. Bowen of the University of Wales, Cardiff and colleagues

Glacier flow

27%

Manual (no glacier)

36%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

36%

Glacier flow

27%

Manual (no glacier)

36%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

36%

There are many bluestone fragments in and around Stonehenge in contrast to the sparse representation of

sarsen

material (

Sarsen

stones came from only 10-20 km away).

Sources: William Judd (1902)

Glacier flow

40%

Manual (no glacier)

30%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

30%

Glacier flow

40%

Manual (no glacier)

30%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

30%

The

bluestones

come from multiple sources (10-30 sources) across the

Preseli

area, over a range of at least 10 km (and some argue 100 km).

Sources: The Stonehenge Bluestones: Discussion., Brian John, professor of geomorphology at Durham University

Some of the sources of Stonehenge's bluestones

www.museumwales.ac.uk

Glacier flow

87%

Manual (no glacier)

Manual (unrelated glacier)

Glacier flow

87%

Manual (no glacier)

Manual (unrelated glacier)

There are large variations in the size and shape of the

bluestones

Sources: Brian John, professor of geomorphology at Durham University

Bluestones of different size and shape

3.bp.blogspot.com

Glacier flow

39%

Manual (no glacier)

30%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

30%

Glacier flow

39%

Manual (no glacier)

30%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

30%

Geological materials in the Stonehenge area (or lack thereof) (5 items)

There is no

glacio-tectonic thrusting

of Chalk in Wiltshire Downs.

Sources: Geoffrey F. Boulton, Regius Professor of Geology Emeritus

Glacier flow

24%

Manual (no glacier)

52%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

24%

Glacier flow

24%

Manual (no glacier)

52%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

24%

Some land features in the Bristol-Bath region present as possible

glaciofluvial meltwater channels

Sources: Hawkins and Kellaway (1971)

Channels caused by glacial meltwaters

novascotia.ca

Glacier flow

40%

Manual (no glacier)

20%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

40%

Glacier flow

40%

Manual (no glacier)

20%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

40%

No other

bluestones

have been found in the Stonehenge area (including local riverbeds).

Sources: The Stonehenge Bluestones: Discussion.

Stonehenge

www.dailymail.co.uk

Glacier flow

13%

Manual (no glacier)

60%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

27%

Glacier flow

13%

Manual (no glacier)

60%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

27%

There are many boulders in the vicinity of Stonehenge.

Sources: William Judd (1902)

Glacier flow

36%

Manual (no glacier)

27%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

36%

Glacier flow

36%

Manual (no glacier)

27%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

36%

The Salisbury Plain contains chalk flint, Upper Greensand chert, sandstone, vein quartz, quartzites, and grits.

Sources: William Judd (1902) and Green (1973-4)

Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

www.4x4adventuretours.co.uk

Glacier flow

33%

Manual (no glacier)

33%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

33%

Glacier flow

33%

Manual (no glacier)

33%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

33%

Evidence (1 item)

A group of bodies buried near Stonehenge (the Boscombe bowmen) hailed from Wales around the years 2500-2000 BC.

Sources: "The Age of Stonehenge"

Glacier flow

33%

Manual (no glacier)

33%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

33%

Glacier flow

33%

Manual (no glacier)

33%

Manual (unrelated glacier)

33%

Discussion

This topic is part of a broader analysis. To view the discussion page of the main analysis, click below:

Why was Stonehenge built?

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