How Large Stones Were Moved for Stonehenge Without Modern Technology

For centuries, the construction techniques used to move and position massive stones at Stonehenge without the aid of modern technology and equipment have puzzled historians and enthusiasts alike. Some theories involve legends, while others propose practical methods. This article delves into the plausible explanations and the archaeological evidence supporting these techniques.

Myths and Legends

While some amateur historians and legend tellers might attribute the moving of the stones to mythological figures such as Merlin or Nephilim, these explanations remain more fiction than fact. The scholarly community largely dismisses such theories as unsupported by evidence. Even the notion of large rocks being transported by extraterrestrial beings (aliens) is widely regarded as speculative and unproven.

Practical Methods

Historical and archaeological research suggest that the transportation and positioning of the stones at Stonehenge likely involved the use of oxen, ponies, and a substantial workforce of able-bodied laborers. Cutting down locally available trees provided timber for rollers and sledges, enabling the stones to be moved over long distances.

Reliance on Local Resources and Labor

Historians believe that the labor involved in moving the stones was a communal effort, drawing upon the skills and expertise of local communities. These groups may have used simple yet effective methods such as ramps, mud, and lubricants to facilitate the movement of the stones. The planning and organization of such a massive project required advanced logistical skills and a deep understanding of the environment and available resources.

Comparisons with Other Ancient Structures

Similar techniques were also employed in the construction of other ancient megalithic structures such as the pyramids. Some scholars propose that the efficient transportation of large stones for the construction of the pyramids may have involved the management of river flooding to transport the stones via waterways.

River Transport and Other Methods

For the construction of the smaller pyramids, some propose the use of hydraulic ram pumps to move heavy blocks, while others suggest the use of labor rafts and river transport to move stones from their original locations. The transport of stones for the construction of Stonehenge may have relied on similar methods, utilizing local rivers and waterways for transportation.

Modern Knowledge and Historical Evidence

Research into the construction techniques of ancient cultures such as the Nias people in Indonesia (Nias - Wikipedia) provides valuable insights. The Nias people were known to move large monoliths to construction sites around 1915, with blocks weighing between 15 to 20 tonnes. This aligns with the estimated weight of the smaller stones used in Stonehenge, providing further evidence that ancient cultures possessed the knowledge and methods to transport and erect such massive stones.

Waterlogged Transport: The Role of Water

One of the most intriguing methods involves the use of water. Archaeologists have proposed that large stones could have been transported via water, with a dam being constructed around the structure and filled with water. This method would allow the stones to be floated into position using timber, significantly reducing the physical effort required.

While the exact methods used to move the stones at Stonehenge remain somewhat of a mystery, the archaeological evidence and historical accounts from other cultures provide valuable insights into the practical techniques employed by our ancient ancestors. Whether through the use of oxen, ponies, waterways, or other simple yet effective methods, the construction of such monumental structures is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of our ancient predecessors.