The Newall Boulder - Correcting the Record

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.   

Figure 6. Columns of foliated rhyolite at Craig Rhos-y-Felin, north Pembrokeshire. The strong foliation in the rhyolite is parallel to the large face to the right. The rounded tops of the columns are broadly “bullet shaped”, identical in form to the Newall boulder. A pair of small dots show the tapering of the column to the left (arrowed), giving it similar proportions at the base to the stump of Stonehenge Stone 32d and the top broadly similar to the Newall boulder, being about 10-15 cm across at the top, widening to about 45 cm at the base. 

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.