Stonehenge Mystery: Origins, Purpose and Recent Findings

How was stonehenge constructed without modern tools?

This is probably the most common question asked at the site—and for good reason. Most experts believe the stones were rolled on logs or dragged on greased tracks of wood and clay. For uprighting the stones, they likely dug deep pits, placed the base of the stone inside, and used ropes, manpower, and maybe wooden A-frames to tilt it upward. 

What’s more surprising is the level of precision. The stones were shaped to fit together, with mortise-and-tenon joints carved into the tops of the sarsens. For a society with no written language and limited tools, the engineering is frankly remarkable.

The bluestone mystery

While the larger sarsens came from a relatively nearby location, the smaller bluestones present a bigger mystery. These stones originated in the Preseli Hills in southwest Wales, about 150 miles away from Stonehenge. That’s not a small trip—especially when you're moving stones that weigh two to four tons.

How they got there is still debated. Some believe they were transported by boat and river, then hauled overland. Others suggest glaciers might have carried the stones during the Ice Age, though that theory has fallen out of favor. Either way, it’s clear the builders chose these stones for a reason.

Some archaeologists think the bluestones had cultural or spiritual significance. Others have noted that the Preseli stones have acoustic qualities—when struck, they ring like bells—leading to theories that sound may have played a role in Stonehenge’s ceremonies.

What local legends say

For centuries, Stonehenge has also been a magnet for folklore. One of the earliest myths comes from Geoffrey of Monmouth, a 12th-century writer who claimed the wizard Merlin magically transported the stones from Ireland. According to the legend, they were originally part of a sacred healing circle called the Giant’s Dance.

Other local tales speak of giants building Stonehenge in a single night, or that the stones themselves possess healing powers. Some believe that lying within the circle cures illness or brings fertility.

Even today, you’ll meet visitors especially during the solstices; who see Stonehenge as a spiritual site. And while science may not back every mystical claim, it’s hard to deny the place has a certain energy.

New findings on the altar stone

A 2024 study published in Archaeology International revealed that the Altar Stone, a central six-ton sandstone slab at Stonehenge, originated from northeast Scotland, not Wales as previously believed. This conclusion was reached through geochemical analyses, which matched the stone's composition to the Orcadian Basin.

Transporting such a massive stone over 435 miles around 2500 BCE, without the aid of wheels or metal tools, suggests a remarkable level of coordination among Neolithic communities. Researchers propose that this effort indicates Stonehenge may have served as a unifying monument for disparate groups across Britain.

A monument of unity

The diverse origins of Stonehenge's stones—ranging from the Preseli Hills in Wales to West Woods in England and now Scotland—support the theory that the monument was constructed to symbolize unity among ancient Britons. Professor Mike Parker Pearson of UCL notes that the site's unique composition among over 900 British stone circles suggests both political and religious significance.

Further evidence of Stonehenge's role as a gathering place includes the discovery that nearly half of the individuals buried nearby were not local to the Salisbury Plain, indicating the site's wide-reaching importance.

Evolving understanding

These findings challenge earlier assumptions about Stonehenge's purpose, shifting the focus from solely astronomical or religious functions to include socio-political dimensions. While debates continue, the consensus among historians and archaeologists is that Stonehenge likely served multiple roles: a ceremonial site, a unifying symbol, and a testament to the collaborative spirit of Neolithic communities.