NEW research has shone a light on how the ancient stones at Stonehenge were transported to Wiltshire.

Analysis of a Neolithic cow’s tooth found at Stonehenge found that the cow is likely to have come from Wales, backing theories that cattle helped move the stones into position.

A molar from an elderly Bos taurus, excavated from a cow’s jawbone beside the ancient monument in 1924, was sliced by experts from the British Geological Society, Cardiff University and University College London.

The scientists were looking for clues about the animal’s diet and movement.

And it seems that their work offers evidence, for the first time, of a link between cattle remains at Stonehenge and Wales at the time when the bluestone megaliths were moved to the site.

The jawbone dates to the very beginning of the monument’s construction – in 2995 to 2900 BC.

“The remains of this elderly animal were found buried at Stonehenge. It is not known if it travelled to Stonehenge alive, or its remains were, curated and deposited there,” the study said.

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“However, it is possible that the animal held some significance to the population as the cow probably died 55 to 270 years (at 68% probability) before being placed on the bottom of the ditch.”

Professor Jane Evans, from the British Geological Society, told the BBC: “It is another tie between Stonehenge and Wales.

“You can tell that the animal has been grazing on the Palaeozoic rock, typical of those found in Wales, particularly in and around where bluestones are found.”

She said that while bluestones are also found in the Lake District and Scotland, evidence clearly pointed to the animals coming from Wales.

“We’re beginning to see so many connections between Wales and Stonehenge. Not only is it the closest rock, but there are other links as well,” she added.

The study brought to light new evidence that the stones were taken to the ancient site with the help of cattle, rather than being dragged there by humans.

Researchers measured carbon, oxygen, strontium and lead isotopes from the tooth – the analysis of which found changes to the animal’s diet, which suggests the cow was either moved or that winter fodder was imported.

The latest research comes after a study by experts at Aberystwyth University suggests boulders at Stonehenge were taken to the site by humans and not by glaciers, as previously thought.

Scientists said there is “no evidence for ice extending as far south as Salisbury Plain”.

Stonehenge was built from stones all over Great Britain which includes smaller bluestone megaliths that came from north Pembrokeshire in Wales – 140 miles away from the ancient monument.

Archaeologists previously thought that the bluestones from the Preseli Hills, which were among the first stones to be erected some 5,000 years ago, were transported by glacial ice long before Stonehenge’s construction.