Please note 7.30pm start.
The precise number, identity, geological provenance and prehistorical significance of the various Stonehenge bluestones have been, and will always remain, contentious. Petrographical and geochemical re-examination of lithic assemblages collected during the last century, plus examination of all those from 21st century excavations, found within Stonehenge and its immediate environs (over 7000samples) combined with dedicated, geological, in situ collecting has allowed a greater qualification and quantification of the rock types, demonstrated their relative archaeological ‘importance’ and suggested some of their possible origins.
These data have shown that many earlier provenancing studies are incorrect whilst also uncovering cryptic questions including: -
- Why are some orthostats not represented in the abundant and spatially quite uniform Stonehenge ‘debitage’ ---and vice versa?
- Why are the geological origins of the non-dolerite bluestone so diverse and often from ‘insignificant’ outcrops for example the small outcrop of Craig Rhos-y-felin?
Can finding the geographical origin of the bluestones give us the transport route?
We shall never know why Stonehenge was built and rebuilt but might discover from whence.
Dr Rob Ixer was an economic geologist for 40 years before returning to archaeology. His interests are concentrated on early copper and bronze mining especially within the British Isles, Neolithic to Iron Age ceramics in Europe, Inka and Pre-Inka ceramics in the Andes and the geographical origin of almost any prehistoric lithic including all things Stonehenge.
