Study Suggests Devil's Arrows Stones Hauled 11 Miles by Prehistoric Builders

Researchers studying the Devil's Arrows, a group of prehistoric standing stones in North Yorkshire, England, have found evidence suggesting the massive stones were transported roughly 11 miles from their quarry site, according to a report by Ars Technica.

The findings, based on isotopic analysis of the stone material, indicate that Brimham Rocks is the most likely origin point for the monoliths, rather than Plumpton Rocks, a source located much closer to the site where the stones now stand, the report said.

The Devil's Arrows consist of a small number of large standing stones believed to date to the prehistoric era, though the exact period of their construction has long been a subject of study among archaeologists. The monument is one of several ancient stone arrangements in Britain that have drawn scholarly interest for the logistical challenges their construction would have posed to early builders.

If confirmed, the identification of Brimham Rocks as the source would mean prehistoric people moved the stones over a significantly greater distance than previously assumed based on proximity alone, according to the report. Transporting large stones over such distances without modern machinery has long been cited by researchers as evidence of considerable organizational capability and labor coordination among prehistoric communities.

The report did not detail the specific methodology used in the isotopic analysis or identify the researchers involved in the study. Further details on the study's publication and peer review status were not specified in the available report.