Crop circles
The history of crop circles—large, often intricate patterns that appear mysteriously in fields of crops—dates back several centuries, though they…
The history of crop circles—large, often intricate patterns that appear mysteriously in fields of crops—dates back several centuries, though they became a major modern phenomenon in the late 20th century. Initially dismissed as simple hoaxes, crop circles have fascinated people worldwide, with explanations ranging from human-made art to natural phenomena to extraterrestrial activity. The patterns typically involve flattened crops in geometric shapes or intricate designs, usually appearing overnight, and have sparked considerable debate among scientists, enthusiasts, and skeptics.
Early Mentions and Folklore
Pre-Modern Mentions:
1678 Pamphlet (The Mowing Devil): One of the earliest known references to a crop circle-like phenomenon comes from 1678, in a pamphlet titled The Mowing Devil. The story describes a farmer who, after refusing to pay a mower’s high fee, claimed that the devil himself had mowed his crops in a circular pattern overnight. While this is often cited as an early reference to crop circles, it is generally interpreted as folklore or a moral tale rather than a historical account of the phenomenon.
Other Early Reports: Prior to the 20th century, there are scattered reports of mysterious circles or flattened areas appearing in fields, but these were often attributed to natural causes like wind patterns or even fairies. In German and English folklore, circular patterns in fields were sometimes called fairy rings and were thought to be caused by supernatural beings or spirits dancing in the fields at night.
The Modern Phenomenon (1970s–1980s)
First Modern Crop Circles in the 1970s:
Wiltshire, England (1970s): Crop circles, as they are recognized today, began to appear with some frequency in the 1970s in the Wiltshire area of southern England, near the famous prehistoric site of Stonehenge. Early examples were simple circular shapes, often small and unadorned, and were largely ignored by the broader public. However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, more complex patterns started to emerge, and the phenomenon began to attract greater attention.
1980s Boom and Media Coverage:
High Profile in 1980s: By the mid-1980s, crop circles became more elaborate, and sightings increased, particularly in the English countryside. Some formations included multiple circles, lines, and other geometric shapes. The growing complexity of the patterns attracted media attention, and crop circles became a major topic of fascination and speculation. Wiltshire, with its ancient landmarks like Avebury and Silbury Hill, became the center of crop circle activity.
Doug Bower and Dave Chorley: In 1991, two British men, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, confessed to creating many of the crop circles that had appeared in England since the late 1970s. They demonstrated how they made the formations using simple tools like wooden planks, ropes, and wire. Despite their confession, crop circles continued to appear, and the phenomenon persisted, with many enthusiasts rejecting their claims as a complete explanation for the global phenomenon.
Theories and Explanations
Human-Made Art:
Pranksters and Artists: One of the most widely accepted explanations for crop circles is that they are the work of human pranksters or artists. The technique for creating crop circles is relatively simple and involves using ropes, boards, and basic geometry to flatten crops into intricate designs. Since Bower and Chorley’s confession, many individuals and groups have openly admitted to creating crop circles as a form of art or performance, with some even competing to create the most elaborate designs.
Crop Circle Makers: After the media attention in the 1990s, crop circle making became a popular underground art form, and groups of artists (known as “circle makers”) began intentionally creating complex formations. The Circlemakers, a British group, gained recognition for producing intricate designs. Many of these artists view crop circles as a form of land art, akin to large-scale outdoor sculpture or earthworks.
Natural Explanations:
Wind and Weather Patterns: Some researchers have proposed that crop circles could be caused by natural phenomena, such as unusual wind patterns, whirlwinds, or plasma vortices. These explanations suggest that certain atmospheric conditions could lead to circular patterns forming naturally in fields, although this theory has not been widely accepted as a cause for the more intricate designs.
Magnetic Fields and Energy Vortices: Another naturalistic theory involves the idea of electromagnetic fields or earth energy causing crops to flatten in patterns. Proponents of this theory argue that the earth’s magnetic forces or subtle energy fields may interact with plant life in mysterious ways, leading to the creation of crop circles. However, this explanation lacks scientific support and remains speculative.
Extraterrestrial Hypotheses:
Alien Contact Theory: One of the most popular and controversial theories about crop circles is that they are a form of communication from extraterrestrial beings. Advocates of this theory believe that the complex designs are too intricate to be made by humans and that they are messages or signs from alien civilizations attempting to make contact with humanity.
UFO Sightings: Some crop circle enthusiasts point to UFO sightings or strange lights near crop circle sites as evidence that extraterrestrials are responsible for creating the patterns. While there have been reports of lights or flying objects near crop circles, these claims are largely anecdotal and lack scientific verification.
Scientific Investigations
BLT Research Team:
BLT Research (1990s): One of the most prominent scientific efforts to study crop circles was led by the BLT Research Team, which began investigating crop formations in the 1990s. The team conducted laboratory analyses on crop samples and soils from within crop circles, looking for unusual characteristics. They claimed to have found evidence of microwave radiation or other anomalies that could not be easily explained by human activity, such as elongated plant nodes and higher electromagnetic readings.
Criticism: While BLT’s findings gained some attention in the crop circle community, their methods and conclusions have been widely criticized by mainstream scientists, who argue that the evidence does not conclusively point to non-human or paranormal causes.
21st Century Developments
Continued Phenomenon:
Elaborate Designs: In the 21st century, crop circles continued to evolve, with increasingly complex and large designs appearing in fields around the world. Some of these formations incorporated fractal patterns, Mandelbrot sets, and other mathematically sophisticated designs. This has led many to view crop circles as a form of mathematical or artistic expression.
Global Spread: While crop circles are most commonly associated with England, they have also been reported in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and various European countries. This global spread has only deepened the mystery surrounding the phenomenon, with local variations in style and technique.
Crop Circles in Pop Culture
Media and Movies: Crop circles have appeared in numerous films, TV shows, books, and documentaries, becoming a staple of UFO lore and science fiction. Perhaps the most famous cinematic reference to crop circles is in the 2002 film “Signs” by M. Night Shyamalan, which portrayed the formations as part of an alien invasion.
Tourism and Festivals: In areas where crop circles frequently appear, such as Wiltshire, crop circles have become a tourist attraction. Some farmers even charge admission for people to visit the formations. Crop circle festivals and conferences, where enthusiasts gather to discuss the phenomenon, are also held regularly.
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