The Devil’s Arrows in North Yorkshire—Britain’s tallest surviving prehistoric stone row—were deliberately sourced from Brimham Rocks 18 kilometers away rather than moved by glacial activity, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A by researchers from Curtin University and the University of York. The three standing stones near Boroughbridge weigh about 25 tons each and reach nearly 7 meters in height, presenting a major logistical feat from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age around 2000 BC.
Geological Analysis Rules Out Glacial Movement
For years, researchers debated whether glacial activity during the ice age carried the massive monoliths to their current site. To test this, the research team used a low-impact sampling method involving adhesive tape to harvest tiny mineral grains from the stone surfaces without damaging the monument. According to the study, analysis of these mineral age “fingerprints” matched the stones with bedrock at Brimham Rocks, located approximately 18 kilometers away. This match effectively ruled out natural glacial transport, confirming that prehistoric communities intentionally quarried and hauled the heavy blocks across the landscape.
Why Prehistoric Builders Bypass Closer Stone Sources
The discovery that ancient builders bypassed closer geological sites—such as Plumpton Rocks—raises clear questions about prehistoric logistics. According to lead author Dr Anthony Clarke from Curtin University, moving stones weighing over 25 tons each required immense planning, coordination, and technical skill. Clarke noted that the stones were deliberately chosen from a hard-to-reach landscape rather than simply taken from the nearest available source. University of York archaeologist Dr Jim Leary added that the immense effort shows communities placed deep cultural meaning on the landscape and the specific origin of their building materials, rather than prioritizing mere convenience.
The Mystery of the Missing Fourth Stone
Historical records and nineteenth-century theories indicate that a fourth stone once stood alongside the existing row. According to the University of York, the new research supports long-held local stories suggesting this missing fourth monolith was repurposed into a stone cross located in the nearby village of Aldborough. While the exact methods used by prehistoric laborers to transport and erect these 25-ton structures remain under investigation, researchers plan to apply similar non-invasive sampling techniques to other megalithic sites to better understand ancient construction timelines.
Did you know? The Devil’s Arrows stand as the tallest prehistoric stone row in Britain, and their mineral composition was identified using non-destructive adhesive tape sampling to preserve the ancient monuments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the Devil’s Arrows stones weigh?
Each of the three remaining standing stones weighs approximately 25 tons and stands nearly 7 meters tall.
Where did the Devil’s Arrows come from?
Geological analysis published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A shows the stones originated from Brimham Rocks, about 18 kilometers away from Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire.
Were the stones moved by glaciers?
No. Mineral fingerprinting of the stone surfaces ruled out glacial transport, confirming that prehistoric humans deliberately transported the blocks.
Who led the recent research study?
The study was led by Dr Anthony Clarke from Curtin University alongside researchers from the University of York.
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