The enigmatic ‘Newall boulder’ excavated at Stonehenge in 1924: new data and correcting the record
Richard E. Bevins,
Nick J.G. Pearce, Rob A. Ixer, James Scourse,
Tim Daw, Mike Parker Pearson, Mike Pitts,
David Field, Duncan Pirrie, Ian Saunders, Matthew
Power
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports,
Volume 66, 2025, 105303, ISSN 2352-409X,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105303
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X25003360)
Abstract
This paper aims to clarify the record regarding previous studies on the Newall boulder and samples taken from it for analysis and to correct errors of fact introduced into the current literature. Petrographic, automated SEM-EDS analysis and portable XRF investigation (including new analyses) relating to the characteristics and composition of the Newall boulder are presented, supporting (a) the interpretation that its original source was Craig Rhos-y-Felin, in north Pembrokeshire and (b) that there is no evidence to support an interpretation that it is a glacial erratic. In addition, it is shown that the overall non-sarsen lithological assemblage at Stonehenge is restricted, supporting derivation by human activity from a limited number of sites, predominantly from west Wales, but also NE Scotland, and not derived from glacial erratics.
Conclusions
Contrary
to the opinion of Kellaway (1991) and John (2024a) we re-present data and our
interpretation that the so-called ‘Newall boulder’, excavated at Stonehenge in
1924 by Lt-Col Hawley is not a glacial erratic. It is one of very few stones
recovered from Stonehenge to which such an attribution has been made, which in
itself challenges the hypothesis that the stones comprising the bluestone
assemblage (and now also the Altar Stone) were transported to Salisbury Plain
by ice, rather than the alternative view that they were transported to site by
humans. Extensive field surveys across the Stonehenge Landscape and surrounding
areas have failed to identify any glacial erratics; indeed, glacial deposits of
any kind are also notably absent meaning that there is no evidence for ice
extending as far south as Salisbury Plain.
A small number of bluestone fragments have been collected from sites a
short distance away from the monument itself, including the Greater Cursus,
Silbury Hill and Boles Barrow. However, these are almost exclusively small,
angular pieces interpreted as debitage fragments, and it is most likely that
they relate to human-effected dispersal.
Extensive examination of excavated material from historic and recent
excavations at Stonehenge have shown the bluestone assemblage to be restricted
in its lithological varieties, comprising no more than 15 different rock types,
which is at odds with the 46 or so rock types proposed by John (2024a). The
limited range of rock types argues strongly in favour of human selection (and
hence transport) of the bluestone material.
The Newall boulder is identified as a joint block of foliated rhyolite
originally sourced from Craig Rhos-y-Felin, in north Pembrokeshire (west Wales)
and almost certainly represents a block broken off a monolith, most probably
the now buried stump of Stone 32d. New mineralogical and geochemical data
presented conforms to the data presented in Bevins (2023a), reinforcing the
Craig Rhos-y-Felin source for the Newall boulder.
In summary, we reiterate our earlier interpretation that the Newall
boulder is not a glacial erratic, that there is no evidence of glaciation on
Salisbury Plain, and that the bluestones were transported to Stonehenge by
humans rather than by ice.
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