A collaborative study between Curtin University and the University of York has identified the geological origin of the Devil’s Arrows, a striking monument in northern England near Boroughbridge. The three towering stones, each weighing approximately 25 tonnes and rising up to seven meters high, represent Britain’s tallest surviving prehistoric stone row. Through new research methods, scientists have determined that the stones were sourced from Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, located roughly 18 kilometers away from their final location.
Previous investigations had suggested Plumpton Rocks, situated closer to the Devil’s Arrows, as the likely origin point. The new findings overturn this assumption and reveal that prehistoric builders transported the massive stones significantly farther than previously believed. Lead researcher Dr. Anthony Clarke emphasized that this discovery challenges conventional understanding of how ancient communities approached monument construction, indicating that convenience was not the primary consideration in site selection.
The research employed an innovative low-impact sampling technique using adhesive tape to collect mineral grains from the stones without causing damage to the monument. Researchers then analyzed the geological fingerprints of these samples and compared them against materials from potential source locations. The analysis definitively matched the Devil’s Arrows to Brimham Rocks and ruled out natural explanations such as glacial movement, confirming that human transport deliberately moved the stones to the monument site.
The findings suggest that the landscape around Brimham Rocks held cultural, symbolic, or spiritual significance for the ancient builders. Researchers believe the stones were transported and positioned during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, possibly around 2000 BC. The effort required to move such enormous stones would have demanded substantial planning, coordination, and engineering expertise, indicating that the choice of sourcing location reflected deliberate decision-making based on landscape meaning rather than practical considerations.
Researchers plan to apply their non-invasive technique to other standing stones whose origins remain unknown and to conduct targeted excavations at both the Devil’s Arrows and Brimham Rocks. These investigations could provide additional insights into the timing and methods involved in constructing these extraordinary prehistoric monuments. The study was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A.
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