The grains of sand that solve Stonehenge mystery after 5,000 years: Scientists uncover new evidence the stones were moved by humans – and not glaciers
The 5,000–year–old mystery of Stonehenge may have finally been solved – with the help of a few tiny grains of sand. According to the so–called glacial transport theory, the ice that once covered ancient Britain conveniently carried the stones to the Salisbury Plain. Scientists looked at grains of the minerals zircon (pictured) and apatite, which act as geological clocks by trapping radioactive uranium. The researchers looked at more than 700 zircon and apatite grains, gathered from the rivers near Stonehenge. Meanwhile, all of the apatite grains were dated to around 60 million years ago, which doesn't match any potential rock source in Britain.
Source: Daily Mail January 22, 2026 13:56 UTC
