A tale of two boulders

Comparative Analysis of the "Brian John Boulder" at Craig Rhos-y-felin and the "Newall Boulder" from Stonehenge: Implications for the Origins and Transport of the Bluestones
- a paper - DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28445.01769

The shape and surface of a boulder tells its story. The "Brian John Boulder" (left) was found in-situ at Craig Rhos-y-felin, the "Newall Boulder" (right) at Stonehenge.

"The comparison between the “Brian John Boulder” at Craig Rhos-y-felin and the “Newall Boulder” from Stonehenge reveals that both exhibit distinctive bullet-like morphologies shaped by foliation, along with comparable surface abrasion and weathering features. These characteristics show no evidence of long-distance glacial transport and are more convincingly explained by in situ weathering at the source, followed by deliberate Neolithic extraction and movement. The combined geological and archaeological evidence strongly supports human agency in the sourcing and transport of Stonehenge’s bluestones. Crucially, if the Newall Boulder had been transported over 200 km by glacial action, it would not so closely resemble clasts still in place at Craig Rhos-y-felin."