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Who raised the stones?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·4 answers·0·0 following
Answered: Neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and…Passed its tests and review.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. Neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and… leads, with evidence 3 for: supported by its tests. Three are still possible.

Why it matters

The medieval answer, Merlin and the giants, held for four centuries and still circulates; the dating, the quarries and the burials now say who built it and when⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 4

Evidence: 3 for
Most likely
Giants, wizards or aliens moved the stones.
Failed a test; not refuted outright
Evidence: 1 against
Disputed
Evidence: 3 against
Disputed
None of these.
Failed a test; not refuted outright
Evidence: none yet
Disputed

History

  1. Geoffrey of Monmouth et al. puts forward: merlin moved the Giants' Dance from Ireland to Salisbury Plain as a memorial for Aurelius Ambrosius.
  2. Darvill et al. puts forward: neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and…
  3. Darvill et al.: the radiocarbon model dates the enclosure to about 3000 BC and the sarsen settings to about 2620–2480 BC.For: Neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and…
  4. Darvill et al.: the monument was built about 3000–2500 BC.Against: Merlin moved the Giants' Dance from Ireland to Salisbury Plain as a memorial for Aurelius Ambrosius.
  5. Willis et al.: the cremated dead of about 3000–2500 BC were buried at the monument itself.For: Neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and…
  6. Parker Pearson et al.: quarry recesses, wedges and hammerstones at the bluestone outcrops date to about 3400–3000 BC.For: Neolithic people of Britain built it in stages from about 3000 to 2500 BC, with stones they quarried and…
  7. Parker Pearson et al.: the quarries, tools and dates show people did the work with Neolithic means.Against: Giants, wizards or aliens moved the stones.
  8. Clarke et al.: the stones come from Wessex, the Preseli Hills and north-east Scotland, none from Ireland.Against: Merlin moved the Giants' Dance from Ireland to Salisbury Plain as a memorial for Aurelius Ambrosius.
  9. Manus puts forward: giants, wizards or aliens moved the stones.
  10. English Heritage: geoffrey of Monmouth's account of about 1136 is the earliest written version; it was widely believed until…Against: Merlin moved the Giants' Dance from Ireland to Salisbury Plain as a memorial for Aurelius Ambrosius.
  11. Asked on this site
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