Background
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

Why was Stonehenge built?

Scenariosinfo icon

Calculated Conclusionsinfo icon

Conclusionsinfo icon

1

92%
Glacier flow:

The

bluestones
were moved from
Preseli
to the Stonehenge area by a glacier flow (and then manually transported less than 5 kilometers).

92%

2

8%
Manual (no glacier):

The

bluestones
were manually transported from
Preseli
to Stonehenge; there was no glacier flow from
Preseli
to Salisbury plains.

8%

3

0.2%
Manual (unrelated glacier):

The

bluestones
were manually transported from
Preseli
to Stonehenge; there was an unrelated glacier flow in Salisbury plains.

0.2%
Implied plausibility
info icon
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
info icon
Likelihoods based only on evidence of this sub-topic, assuming all hypotheses equally plausible.
Glacier flow
92%
Manual (no glacier)
8%
Manual (unrelated glacier)
0.2%
Conclusion
info icon
Final likelihoods, combining plausibility and evidence.
Glacier flow
92%
Manual (no glacier)
8%
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
Some of the sources of Stonehenge's bluestones
www.museumwales.ac.uk
Glacier flow
87%
Manual (no glacier)
6%
Manual (unrelated glacier)
6%
Glacier flow
87%
Manual (no glacier)
6%
Manual (unrelated glacier)
6%

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
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
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.
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
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%

Discussioninfo icon

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