Devil's Arrows likely sourced from Brimham Rocks, study suggests

2026-09-25

Isotropic analysis indicates the Devil's Arrows, ancient monoliths in Yorkshire, were likely transported from Brimham Rocks, a site located 11 miles away, rather than the previously assumed Plumpton Rocks. The findings offer new insights into prehistoric construction and logistics.

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Isotropic analysis suggests the Devil's Arrows in North Yorkshire were likely sourced from Brimham Rocks, 11 miles away. This finding offers new insights into prehistoric construction and logistics, challenging previous assumptions about the monoliths' origin.

Key facts

Isotropic analysis indicates the Devil's Arrows were likely transported from Brimham Rocks.
Brimham Rocks is located approximately 11 miles from the Devil's Arrows' current site.
Previous hypotheses suggested Plumpton Rocks as the origin of the Devil's Arrows.
The study used isotopic tracing to determine the geological provenance of the stones.
The findings provide a clearer understanding of prehistoric builders' logistical capabilities.

Source: Ars Technica

Reported by VERA Newswire.