"New Stonehenge Study Challenges Centuries-Old Origin Theory"

A study led by researchers at Aberystwyth University has challenged a century-old theory about Stonehenge's Altar Stone, suggesting it may not have come from the same source as the other stones used in the monument's construction. Previous theories proposed that the Altar Stone originated from the Old Red Sandstone formation in west Wales, like the other bluestones. However, new analyses have revealed that the Altar Stone's composition and high barium content distinguish it from the basin and bluestone samples in the Anglo-Welsh Basin. This discovery raises doubts about the Altar Stone's origin and suggests the need to broaden the search geographically and stratigraphically.