Stonehenge | Page 6

rock similar to these
mysterious Foreign Stones. The statement has indeed been made, but as
yet no Wiltshire geologist has produced one of these pebbles of which
so much is written, and so little seen.
These Glacial Drift theorists, further account for the absence of these
foreign stones elsewhere than at Stonehenge, by yet another theory, that
they, like most of the Sarsens, have all been used up for millstones,
gateposts, and road metal.
There are many millstones and gateposts in Wiltshire, but where is
there one which corresponds in any way to the upright Foreign Stones
at Stonehenge? The production of pebbles from the gravels of Wilts, or
of a specimen gatepost or millstone would at once settle this question.
Unhappily this tangible evidence is wanting, so, alluring as the Glacial
Drift theory may appear, it must reluctantly be set aside for want of
convincing evidence. Finally, there seems every reason to believe that
the small upright stones are "naturalised aliens" from abroad, and that
is why they have been described at the commencement of this section
as "Foreign Stones." It must not be taken for granted that the small
upright stones at present standing represent all the foreign rocks
employed. Probably they are merely the hardest and most durable of
those used in the original structure, the softer and more friable
examples having disappeared entirely, owing to the action of the
weather, and possibly also to the assaults of the unchecked
relic-monger, who until recent years could with his hammer collect
souvenirs with impunity. In this connection, there is a story afoot that a
hammer was kept upon the mantelpiece of a well-known hotel in
Salisbury, which was reserved for the use of those intending to see
Stonehenge, who might be wishful to bring back some convincing
evidence of their visit.
In all probability these foreign stones originally numbered forty-five.
To-day there are but thirty.
A complete lithology of the stones made by the late Professor J.W.

Judd, in 1901, reveals the following rocks as comprising those used in
the construction of Stonehenge.
1. Sarsens.--Coarse and fine-grained Sandstone similar to the
Woolwich, Reading, or Bagshot beds. This stone is used for the
Trilithons, Hele Stone, a recumbent stone known as the "Slaughtering
Stone," and two small stones set north-west and south-east of the circle.
It is of local origin.
2. Ophitic Diabase.--(Some porphyritic.)
3. Highly altered basic Tuffs, and agglomerates (calcareous chloritic
schists).--Only one stump now remains.
4. Altered Rhyolites and Dacites.--Only fragments of this rock have
been revealed during Mr. Gowland's excavations in 1901. At one time
doubtless there was a whole upright of this material, but its striking
appearance and fracture has probably led to its demolition by
generations of souvenir hunters. Other fragments have been found in
the barrows once within sight of Stonehenge, but now destroyed by
cultivation.
5. Sandstones, Grits, and Quartzites.--The "Altar-Stone" belongs to this
class. It is interesting to note that Professor Maskelyne has pointed out
the similarity between the Altar Stone at Stonehenge, and the "Stone of
Destiny" in the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey.
6. Grey Wackés.--Fragments only of these stones have been discovered
among the chippings incidental to the dressing of the stones before
erection.
Their absence at the present day is not a matter for surprise, as stones of
this class weather badly, and when exposed to the action of frost and
cold rapidly disintegrate.
7. Argillaceous Flagstones and Slates.--As in the case of the Grey
Wackés, fragments only of these stones exist to tell the story of the
uprights which have vanished under atmospheric changes.

8. Glanconitic Sandstone (possibly Upper Greensand?).--Traces of this
rock have been discovered at Stonehenge by Mr. Cunnington. Professor
Judd suggests the possibility of a boulder of this material having been
found and used by the builders of Stonehenge.
9. Flints.--These of course are naturally found in abundance throughout
the district. Most of those found within Stonehenge are broken
fragments struck off in the process of repointing flint chisels during the
erection of the circle.
The above catalogue of stones may not convey very much to the
ordinary visitor, and has only been inserted for the sake of
completeness; or for the information of geologists who may be
concerned with this aspect of the history of the monument. The
conclusions to be drawn from such a list, however, are not without
interest to the general reader. From the varied fragments found, it is
apparent that some six, or perhaps seven, different classes of stone were
used for the small uprights, but that only the harder and more durable
rocks (the diabase, rhyolite, etc.) have survived. The softer rocks (basic
tuffs, grey wackés, flagstones, and slates), being more easily broken,
have fallen victims to the souvenir hunter, and to the action of the
weather, rain,