Scientists claim to have finally discovered the true purpose behind the mysterious existence of Stonehenge.
Thanks to a groundbreaking new archaeology study, the iconic site was likely built as a unification project for ancient Britons, bringing together peoples from across the country.
The research reveals that stones were transported from distant regions of Britain, including a massive 6-ton altar stone from Scotland - a monumental effort which would have involved thousands of people and taken nearly eight months to complete.
Unlike Britain's 900 other stone circles, Stonehenge is unique because all its stones originated from far-flung locations across the UK.
Unlike Britain's 900 other stone circles, Stonehenge is unique because all its stones originated from far-flung locations across the UK
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The new study, published in the journal Archaeology International, builds on recent discoveries about the origins of Stonehenge's materials.
Scientists have found that the giant altar stone at the heart of the monument was transported from modern-day Scotland.
This massive stone - weighing over 6 tons (13,227 lbs) - was moved more than 700 km (435 miles) from its origin site.
The journey to transport these massive stones would have been a spectacular public event, researchers have suggested.
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"Travel by land would have provided much better opportunities for spectacle, pageantry, feasting and celebration that would have drawn people in (the) thousands to witness and take part in this extraordinary venture," the study reads.
The altar stone was placed within the monument's central horseshoe structure during a "rebuilding phase" between 2500 and 2020 BC as the its final structure was designed to align with the sun during winter and summer solstices.
Researchers believe this alignment held "ancestral significance" to ancient Britons.
Researchers believe this alignment held "ancestral significance" to ancient Britons
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Study lead author Mike Parker Pearson explained: "The fact that all of its stones originated from distant regions, making it unique among over 900 stone circles in Britain, suggests that the stone circle may have had a political as well as a religious purpose as a monument of unification for the peoples of Britain."
He added that it serves "as a monument of unification for the peoples of Britain, celebrating their eternal links with their ancestors and the cosmos".
Stonehenge stands apart from Britain's more than 900 other stone circles as the only one constructed entirely from stones originally from far-off regions.
