Symbol of unity and connection: a new theory transforms our understanding of Stonehenge (photo).

More than five thousand years after its construction, Stonehenge continues to be a source of awe and intrigue, concealing details about its origins. Recent discoveries revealed that the central stone was transported over 700 kilometers from the north of Scotland to its current location on the Salisbury Plain, writes The Guardian.

For over a century, experts believed that the tall sarsens of Stonehenge originated from a distance of about 30 kilometers, while the smaller "bluestones" came from Wales. However, the revelation of the altar stone's Scottish origins has caused a sensation worldwide.

Now, archaeologist and specialist Mike Parker Pearson from University College London offers an intriguing explanation for why the stones were moved such incredible distances. He argues that Stonehenge may have served as a unifying symbol for early agricultural communities across Britain, constructed during a time of cultural stress. The altar stone, he suggests, is a gift or a sign of alliance from a distant Scottish monument.

Parker Pearson draws attention to the unique construction features of Stonehenge, such as its extensive stone dressing and lintels, as well as the unprecedented use of materials sourced from across Britain and Ireland. In his new research, he describes the monument as a "material and monumental microcosm" of the British Isles, highlighting both its political significance and spiritual purpose.

The scholar dismisses ancient theories that Stonehenge functioned as a temple, calendar, or observatory, asserting instead that its famous alignment with the solstice may not have been its primary purpose.

However, the researcher believes that Stonehenge symbolized rapid changes in the world. He suggests that the altar stone, often overlooked due to its flat position under a fallen sarsen, was once set according to the practices of stone circles in the northeast of Scotland. Supporting this theory is the likelihood that the altar stone was part of an earlier monument, carefully selected and transported to a new location.

While Orkney has been ruled out as the stone's origin, archaeologists are now investigating other potential sites of its discovery. The altar stone is thought to have been erected around 2500 BC, a period marked by significant cultural shifts as new groups arrived in Britain from continental Europe. Parker Pearson notes that this "first contact" may have catalyzed the construction of the second phase of Stonehenge, an attempt to establish unity between existing communities and newcomers.

Despite these efforts, genetic studies indicate that the incoming tribes eventually displaced the previous Neolithic population. Nevertheless, Stonehenge retained its significance, becoming a monument embraced by the new inhabitants.

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