Ancient builders hauled enormous 25-tonne (55,000-pound) stones across at least 18 kilometers (11 miles) to create Britain’s tallest surviving prehistoric stone row, according to new research into the iconic Devil’s Arrows.
The study, led by Curtin University in collaboration with the University of York, UK, is the first to pinpoint the geological source of the towering stones. Researchers traced them to Brimham Rocks, a rugged area in North Yorkshire.
Located near Boroughbridge in northern England, the Devil’s Arrows rise as high as seven meters (23 feet). They form an unusual stone alignment in a lowland landscape, and despite their striking size, scientists had not been able to determine where the stones originally came from.
Researchers believe the stones were transported and raised during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, possibly around 2000 BC.
A Distant Source for Britain’s Giant Stones
Lead author Dr. Anthony Clarke, from the Timescales of Mineral Systems Group within Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the discovery challenges previous ideas about the decisions prehistoric people made when constructing major monuments.
“Our research shows these stones weren’t simply taken from the nearest available source — they were deliberately chosen from a challenging landscape 18 kilometers away,” Dr. Clarke said.
“Plumpton Rocks, which is closer to the Devil’s Arrows, had previously been identified as the probable source of the stones. Our findings instead point to Brimham Rocks, showing that prehistoric builders transported these enormous stones significantly further than thought.
“Each stone weighs more than 25 tonnes, so moving them would have required incredible planning, coordination and engineering skill.
“This tells us prehistoric people placed real importance on the landscape itself. It wasn’t just about convenience — the location the stones came from likely held meaning for them.”
The findings suggest that the builders were not simply choosing the easiest or closest source of stone. Instead, the landscape around Brimham Rocks may have carried cultural, symbolic, or spiritual significance.
Co-author Dr. Jim Leary from the University of York said the discovery changes how researchers can interpret prehistoric monument building.
“These results show that ancient communities were making deliberate and meaningful choices about where their stones came from,” Dr. Leary said.
“It highlights the importance of landscape and shared belief systems, as well as the remarkable effort involved in transporting and raising stones of this size.”
Mineral Fingerprints Reveal the Stones’ Origin
To determine where the stones came from, the researchers used a new low-impact sampling technique. Adhesive tape allowed them to collect tiny mineral grains from the stones without damaging the monument.
They then analyzed the age “fingerprints” of those grains and compared them with geological samples from possible source locations. The results matched the Devil’s Arrows to Brimham Rocks.
The evidence also allowed the team to rule out natural explanations such as glacial movement. That means the enormous stones were intentionally moved to the monument site by people.
New Clues to Prehistoric Engineering
Dr. Clarke said the researchers now plan to use their non-invasive technique on other standing stones whose origins remain uncertain. They also hope to carry out targeted excavations at both the Devil’s Arrows and the newly identified source area.
“These next steps could help us better understand when the stones were moved and how these extraordinary monuments were constructed,” Dr. Clarke said.
Justin Scully, National Trust General Manager for Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal and Brimham Rocks, said the findings establish a direct connection between Brimham Rocks and the Devil’s Arrows, linking two distinctive Yorkshire landscapes.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the researchers for helping us uncover this new chapter in the stones’ story and deepen our understanding of the people who shaped this landscape thousands of years ago,” Mr. Scully said.
“The Devil’s Arrows are deeply cherished by local communities, and we’re delighted that this discovery adds a new chapter to their story.”
The study, “Deliberate Prehistoric Sourcing of the Devil’s Arrows, Britain’s Tallest Stone Row,” was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A.
