Preseli Mountains (Preseli Hills)
Photo: Deborah Tilley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Preseli Hills, known locally as the Preseli Mountains, are a range of low hills in Pembrokeshire, Wales, rising to approximately 536 meters at their highest point, Foel Cwmcerwyn. These ancient hills are composed primarily of spotted dolerite, a distinctive igneous rock speckled with white feldspar crystals. The landscape today features rolling moorland dotted with Bronze Age burial cairns and stone circles, offering visitors sweeping views across the Welsh countryside. Geologically, the Preseli Hills represent one of the oldest rock formations in Wales, with some sections dating back over 400 million years. The hills gained international archaeological significance as the proven source of Stonehenge's famous bluestones, making this remote Welsh landscape central to one of Britain's greatest prehistoric mysteries.
Timeline
Neolithic peoples begin quarrying spotted dolerite from outcrops at Craig Rhos-y-felin and Carn Goedog
Bluestones transported approximately 120 miles from Preseli to Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
Geologist Herbert Henry Thomas first identifies Preseli Hills as the source of Stonehenge's bluestones
Archaeological teams led by Mike Parker Pearson pinpoint specific quarry sites at Craig Rhos-y-felin and Carn Goedog
What the Show Claims
- ›The Preseli bluestones were specifically chosen for their quartz content capable of generating geo-electrical energyS14E17
- ›The 120-mile transport of these specific stones points to advanced or extraterrestrial knowledge rather than human ingenuityS14E17
- ›The acoustic properties of the Preseli dolerite may have been known to ancient peoples and influenced the stone selection
From the Transcripts
“The bluestones, from which the original Stonehenge was constructed, were transported from 120 miles to the west from a place called the Preseli Mountains, which is the only place in the British Isles where you can get that kind of stone.”
What Archaeology Says
Archaeological investigations in the Preseli Hills have intensified dramatically since the early 2000s, with teams led by researchers like Mike Parker Pearson from University College London conducting systematic surveys of the landscape. Excavations at Craig Rhos-y-felin and Carn Goedog have revealed clear evidence of Neolithic quarrying activities, including tool marks on rock faces, discarded hammerstones, and platforms where stones were prepared for transport. These discoveries have provided crucial insights into the scale and organization of the bluestone extraction process.
The scientific consensus supports human agency in the bluestone transport, with experimental archaeology demonstrating feasible methods using wooden sledges, rollers, and watercraft. Researchers have mapped probable transport routes combining overland sledging with coastal and riverine transport via the Bristol Channel and River Avon. Petrological analysis has confirmed that virtually all of Stonehenge's bluestones originated from specific outcrops within a relatively small area of the Preseli Hills, suggesting highly organized procurement rather than random glacial transport.
Recent acoustic research has added another dimension to our understanding, with studies showing that Preseli dolerite produces distinctive ringing sounds when struck, potentially explaining part of its appeal to Neolithic peoples. However, many questions remain unanswered about the precise logistics of transport, the social organization required for such an undertaking, and why these particular stones were deemed worth the enormous effort required to move them across ancient Britain.
The broader landscape archaeology of the Preseli Hills reveals a rich prehistoric heritage, with numerous stone circles, burial cairns, and settlement sites suggesting this was a significant ceremonial and cultural landscape long before the Stonehenge connection. This context supports theories that the bluestones carried not just physical properties but also cultural and spiritual significance from their place of origin.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
The Preseli bluestones at Stonehenge weigh up to 4 tons each and were transported before the wheel was commonly used in Britain
Local folklore suggests the hills are home to the legendary Arthurian court, with one peak called Carn Arthur
The spotted dolerite from Preseli produces a distinctive metallic ringing sound when struck, earning it the nickname 'ringing rock'
Recent isotope analysis suggests some of the people buried at Stonehenge may have actually originated from the Preseli region of Wales
Planning a Visit
The Preseli Hills are generally accessible to visitors via public footpaths and bridleways, with parking available at several locations including the village of Rosebush and near Foel Cwmcerwyn. The archaeological quarry sites at Craig Rhos-y-felin and Carn Goedog can be reached by moderate hiking trails, though visitors should check local tourism information for current access conditions and guided tour availability.
Haverfordwest, approximately 15 miles southeast
Late spring through early autumn offers the best weather conditions for exploring the hills, with clearer views and more reliable walking conditions. Winter visits can be rewarding but require appropriate gear as the exposed moorland can be challenging in poor weather.