Strontium isotope analysis on cremated human remains from Stonehenge support links with west Wales

A groundbreaking analysis of cremated human remains from Stonehenge reveals that at least 10 out of the 25 individuals studied did not originate from the Wessex chalk region where the monument stands. This finding, derived from innovative strontium isotopic analysis of cremated bone—previously impossible with tooth enamel due to cremation—suggests strong connections between Stonehenge and west Wales, a likely source of the bluestones used in its construction. The study underscores the significance of inter-regional movements of both materials and people during the monument's development.

Snoeck, C., Pouncett, J., Claeys, P., Goderis, S., Mattielli, N., Parker Pearson, M., Willis, C., Zazzo, A., Lee-Thorp, J. A., & Schulting, R. J. (2018). Strontium isotope analysis on cremated human remains from Stonehenge support links with west Wales. Scientific Reports, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28969-8