Devil’s Arrows megaliths reveal intentional stone selection in England

Recent geological research into the Devil’s Arrows, a prehistoric stone alignment in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, suggests that the builders made deliberate choices regarding the material used for the monument. The three sandstone monoliths, which stand approximately 7 meters tall and weigh about 25 tonnes each, were transported from Brimham Rocks, located 18 kilometers away.

This finding is significant because similar types of sandstone were available much closer to the site, only 5 kilometers away. The decision to transport the stones over a greater distance indicates that Neolithic or early Bronze Age communities prioritized specific rock characteristics over ease of transport. This suggests a high level of social organization and a sophisticated understanding of the landscape.

The Devil’s Arrows represent the tallest standing stone alignment in Great Britain. Researchers believe the site may have served as a southern entrance to a dense ritual landscape delimited by the Swale and Ure rivers, which contains a high concentration of Neolithic henges and circular enclosures.