An article published in the Journal of Archaeological Science highlights a link between Wales and the megalithic site of Stonehenge thanks to the study of a cow tooth. This 5,000 -year -old tooth is a new index on the origin of the monument stones. “This is an additional fascinating proof of the link between Stonehenge and the southwest of Wales, where its blue stones come from”Enthuses Michael Parker Pearson, archaeologist at the University College London (UCL).
The study relates to a tooth discovered at the foot of the site in 1924. After analyzes, researchers from the University of Cardiff and UCL established that it dates from 2,995 to 2,900 BC. AD, and were able to determine the diet, the lifestyle and the trips of the animal. The traces of lead show that it had herbs from a paleozoic rocky soil, whose closest deposits are in Wales, more than 200 km from Stonehenge. The animal was a female, probably pregnant or breastfeeding.
The article suggests that livestock was able to play a role in transporting stones. The cow died at the start of the construction, which suggests that it would have participated in the first trips between the two regions. This hypothesis is reinforced by a 2010 study showing that certain stones came from quarries located at 225 km, notably in Craig Rhos-Y-Felin and Caen Goedog. In 2018, another study highlighted deformations in plowing oxen feet linked to the transport of heavy loads, opening the way to new tracks if bones were found to be found.
Two main theories exist as to the displacement of stones with a weight of 2 to 25 tonnes (the most massive weighs 40 tonnes): one evokes a glacial origin, the other a human transport. The first is widely disputed today, no evidence indicating that the ice has reached this area. Human transport, on the other hand, is based on several scenarios: by water, by mechanical lever, by sled – object of an archaeological experimentation – or even by cattle. The latter would imply a journey of two to four months, demanding heavy logistics, numerous teams, continuous supply and mobile infrastructure.
Stonehenge was built over a period of around 1,500 years, in connection with the evolution of cultural practices. The work would have started around 3,000 BC. AD and would have taken place in three phases: the first, up to 2,900 BC. AD, concerned the circular enclosure and the ditch; the second, up to 2,600 or 2,400 BC. AD, saw wood structures appear; Finally, up to 1,600 BC. AD, the stones were erected.
