Scientists have unraveled the mystery behind the Devil's Arrows, a prehistoric monument in Yorkshire, England, determining that builders transported massive 25-ton stones over 11 miles (18km). The findings, published by researchers from the University of York and Curtin University, suggest these ancient communities possessed remarkable planning, coordination, and engineering skills.
The Devil's Arrows, located near Boroughbridge, comprise three large stones each standing nearly 23 feet (seven meters) tall. Dating back approximately 4,500 to 5,000 years, they are some of the oldest stone structures in the UK. While slightly younger than Stonehenge, the stones are even taller. The monument is positioned across 174 meters and is composed of Pennine Basin Millstone Grit, a material not found locally, leading to centuries of debate about their origin and transport, with theories ranging from human hauling to ice-age glaciers.
To resolve the question, researchers analyzed the minerals within the stones. Their new analysis indicates that the stones were sourced from Brimham Rocks, approximately 18 kilometers away, rather than closer locations like Plumpton Rocks. Dr. Jim Leary from the University of York stated that this research proves Neolithic communities moved 25-ton stones a significant distance, transforming a familiar site into a sacred landscape. Dr. Anthony Clarke, a geochemist at Curtin University, emphasized that the stones were deliberately chosen, not simply taken from the nearest source, suggesting the origin landscape held specific meaning.
Historically, the site is believed to have once featured at least five stones. Antiquarian records from the mid-16th century mention a fourth stone that later disappeared. By 1687, locals had reportedly broken up a fallen stone, using parts for a bridge and an manor. In the 19th century, it was proposed that another fallen monolith was repurposed into the Battle Cross, a 15th-century monument commemorating a 1322 battle.
This new study confirmed this theory through mineral fingerprinting, which proved that the medieval Battle Cross in Aldborough is a carved segment of a lost Devil's Arrow. Justin Scully, General Manager for Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal and Brimham Rocks, noted the long-standing curiosity surrounding the Devil's Arrows, including local folklore about the Devil hurling the stones. He added that this research connects Brimham Rocks and the Devil's Arrows, revealing an extraordinary journey and deepening understanding of the people who shaped the landscape thousands of years ago.
