This statement seems to contradict the latest Archaeology Papers. However if one reads the Bevin conclusion although the title says "...Not from Orkney" the minerology confirms that the Altar Stone has not come from 'Mainland Orkney'. From my extensive privately funded research the Altar Stone has come from a location from the northerly island of Westray, Papa Westray or Holm of Papa Westray.
Altar Stone fossil patterning
Only the upper surface of the Altar Stone can be seen at Stonehenge, yet it gives us a distinctive Lacustrine patterning that is found only on the Rousay Flagstones. The Rousay Flagstone formation extends to Papa Westray with a yellow softer Flagstone lying on top of a hard purple/green coloured micaceous sandstone. Both kinds of stone was used in the construction in the Neolithic houses and tombs on Papa Westray. On Westray is the Pierowall spiral carved stone the most dramatic of all prehistoric art found in Orkney. This is carved into the softer upper Rousay Flagstone ubiqiuitous throughout Westray. This yellow coloured stone was used as a wall divider in the Neolithic houses, the oldest known being on Papa Westray.
The Author
This Bookshop contains most of TOM BENNETT's books that are still available in 2025. The prices include postage and packing to mainland UK. Go to AMAZON or GOOGLE books if you are looking for any of Tom's ' Out of print' books. Google Search for 'Tom Bennett shipwrecks' and see what comes up!
TOM BENNETT describes himself as a "maritime explorer" and has specialized in writing and publishing books about shipwrecks and the sea, mainly around Wales, but also around Philippines, where he lived for 15 years. In 2020 Tom sailed himself north to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and North Scotland, not only researching the provenance of the Altar Stone but studying feasible sea routes to understand how the Megalithic builders could transport a 6 tonne stone from Westray, Orkney to Stonehenge.
A new edition of Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire was reprinted in 2022.
Dale Sailing at Brunel Quay Neyland, Pembrokeshire sell this book and also Victoria Bookshop in Haverfordwest.
Many of Tom's earlier shipwreck books covered the diving wrecks of Wales. Although many of these books have been out of print for decades, some are still available if you contact Tom at philwrecks@gmail.com or look at his alternative website www.ShipwrecksforWalkers.co.uk
BOOKS
Shipwrecks for Walkers Welsh Beaches
Shipwrecks for Walkers English, Scotland and Ireland Beaches.
Both are a glossy A4 size book. Full colour photos on each page and every page has details of a different shipwreck that can be seen intertidally around the UK coast. These books are designed for keeping in the car for those holidays and weekends. If you live in Britain you are likely to be only an hour's drive from a beach. That beach probably has remnants of a shipwreck still exposed and awaiting your discovery. Take the kids on a hunting trip to the coast and look for one of these shipwrecks. There are 80 wrecks in each book. The wreckage that you will see is fully explained, the type of ship, the story and date of its loss, all there with photos. These two books are truly a guide to shipwreck hunting without getting wet feet!
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