Stonehenge's most iconic stone came from hundreds of miles away

Stonehenge’s Altar Stone, located in southern England, is believed to have been transported over 435 miles (700 kilometers) from what is now northeastern Scotland almost 5,000 years ago. This contradicts previous theories that the Altar Stone came from Wales. The stone weighs 13,227 pounds (6 metric tons) and is the largest of the bluestones used to build Stonehenge. The discovery suggests advanced ancient societies in Britain and the existence of long-distance trade networks during the Neolithic period. The origins of the Altar Stone were determined through the analysis of mineral grains found in the stone fragments.