New research has revealed that the massive stones forming Britain's tallest surviving prehistoric stone row, the Devil's Arrows, were transported from Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, a distance of at least 18 kilometers (11 miles). The study, conducted by Curtin University in collaboration with the University of York, is the first to confirm the specific geological source of the stones. Located near Boroughbridge in northern England, the Devil's Arrows feature stones up to seven meters (23 feet) tall, arranged in a rare alignment in a lowland area. Until now, their origins were uncertain, with Plumpton Rocks considered a possible source. The study suggests the stones were moved during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, approximately 2000 B.C. Lead author Dr. Anthony Clarke from Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences explained that the findings challenge previous assumptions about how ancient monuments were built. "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," Clarke said. Each stone weighs more than 25 tonnes, requiring significant planning, coordination, and engineering skill to move such heavy objects over long distances. Co-author Dr. Jim Leary from the University of York emphasized the broader implications of the study for understanding prehistoric societies. "These results show that ancient communities were making deliberate and meaningful choices about where their stones came from," Leary said. The research team used a non-invasive method, applying adhesive tape to collect mineral grains from the stones, which allowed them to match the stones to their source without causing damage. Their analysis ruled out natural processes like glacial movement, confirming that the stones were intentionally transported. Justin Scully, National Trust general manager for Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal and Brimham Rocks, praised the research for uncovering a new chapter in the history of the stones. "We're incredibly grateful to the researchers for helping us deepen our understanding of the people who shaped this landscape thousands of years ago," Scully said. The study, titled "Deliberate Prehistoric Sourcing of the Devil's Arrows, Britain's Tallest Stone Row," was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The team plans to use their non-invasive method to investigate other standing stones with unknown origins and to conduct targeted excavations at both the Devil's Arrows and the newly identified source site at Brimham Rocks.