The wall dates to a time when the local sea level was lower.
However, several hundred stones are heavier; the largest is a whopping 25,100 pounds (11,389 kilograms).
It generally does not exceed 3 feet (1 meter) in height.
A 3D model of a section of the giant wall.Image:Philipp Hoy, Rostock University
When the structure was still above water, it ran alongside an ancient lake or bog.
Some of the largest-scale changes to the landscape are those made for hunting.
In 2022, archaeologists foundhundreds of pits around Stonehengein southwestern England.
Data showing the overall shape of the wall and some of the largest rocks in it.Image:Geersen et al. PNAS 2024
That team estimated the carvings were between 7,000 and 8,000 years old.
These large stone structures would effectively corral the game, making them easier prey for hunters.
The team posits that its likeliest use was hunting Eurasian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).
News from the future, delivered to your present.
