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Excavations at two locations in Wales by a team of archaeologists, working on evidence provided by geologists, has confirmed they are sources for the Stonehenge’s ‘bluestones’– and shed light on how they were quarried and transported.

New research by the team published today in Antiquity presents detailed evidence of prehistoric quarrying in the Preseli hills in Pembrokeshire, helping to answer long-standing questions about why, when and how Stonehenge was built.

Director of the project, Professor Mike Parker Pearson (UCL Institute of Archaeology), said:

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for geologists and archaeologists to work together. The geologists have been able to lead us to the actual outcrops where Stonehenge’s stones were extracted.”

Geologist and Keeper of Natural Sciences for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, Dr Richard Bevins responded:

“This story began in 2011, when Rob Ixer and I identified the source of some of the bluestones and their debris from Stonehenge. We continued the work at Craig Rhos y Felin and Carn Goedog in the hope that colleagues would be able to discover new clues about the bluestones, which thanks to Mike Parker Pearson and the team, is now apparent.

“Yet the story doesn’t stop here. We are currently analysing some further geological evidence which we hope to share in the near future.”

The team of scientists includes researchers from UCL, University of Manchester, Bournemouth University, University of Southampton, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and Dyfed Archaeological Trust.

The full story can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1215/071215-stonehenge-bluestone-quarries