Local and exotic sources of sarsen debitage at Stonehenge revealed by geochemical provenancing

Geochemical analysis of sarsen fragments at Stonehenge reveals that, beyond the previously identified West Woods source on the Marlborough Downs, sarsen megaliths were sourced from at least three additional locations. Using pXRF and ICP-MS techniques, researchers found that 22 fragments cluster into distinct geochemical 'families,' none of which match the signature of Stone 58 or its equivalents. Further, 15 fragments can be traced to specific outcrops, including Monkton Down, Totterdown Wood, Bramdean in Hampshire, and Stoney Wish in East Sussex—some over 120 km away. One fragment from Monkton Down was identified as part of a flake likely removed during on-site dressing, suggesting another source area for the monument's megaliths. The findings challenge assumptions about Stonehenge's construction, hinting at complex sourcing practices and diverse origins for its sarsen stones.

Ciborowski, T. J. R., Nash, D. J., Darvill, T., Chan, B., Parker Pearson, M., Pullen, R., Richards, C., & Anderson-Whymark, H. (2024). Local and exotic sources of sarsen debitage at Stonehenge revealed by geochemical provenancing. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 53, 104406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104406