On the origin of the stones of which were built by the English megalith, and how they were delivered to the site, the archaeologists and geologists argue for at least four centuries. During this time, or rather recently, we found out that the closer to the center of the monument, the smaller “blue stones” and the Central altar stone was taken from two different parts of Wales. However, the origin Sarsenov, large blocks of Sandstone with a height of 6-9 metres and weighing 20 to 30 tons each, it is known still was not.
It was believed that the site of production Sarsenov was located thirty kilometers from Stonehenge valley of the Marlborough downs. But this version, made in the XVI century by the English antiquarian William Lombard, a current was not tested. And now a group of researchers from several universities in Britain and South Africa decided to ascertain the origin Sarsenov, using the most modern technology.
Scientists have studied the composition of stones using rentgenflyuorestsentny and mass spectrometers and atomic emission spectrometers with inductively coupled plasma. The same was done with samples of Sandstone from twenty quarries located in the South of Britain. Thus for each stone was obtained by high-precision chemical signature matching that the authors of the study concluded that 50 of the 52 surviving Sarsenov was produced in 25 kilometers to the North of megalith in the West woods.
The authors of the study say they not only found the place of origin Sarsenov, but also marked the beginning of the discussion of a number of related questions. In particular, how the stones were brought to the construction site. Scientists had previously argued on this subject, not knowing, however, exactly where these stones were mined. There is also the question about what was special about the stones from the West woods that decided to use them. And besides, the origin of the two Sarsenov and remains outstanding.
