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Crop Circles: What Are They, and Who Makes Them?
Crop circles are large geometric patterns or shapes that appear mysteriously in fields—most often in cereal crops like wheat, barley, and corn. The plants are typically flattened but not broken, creating intricate designs that are best viewed from the air.
They’ve been reported around the world but are especially common in southern England, notably Wiltshire, which is near ancient sites like Stonehenge and Avebury.
The majority of crop circles—especially those from the late 20th century onwards—have been proven to be man-made. In 1991, two British pranksters, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, famously admitted they’d been creating circles since the late 1970s using simple tools: a plank, rope, and some measuring equipment.
Today, crop circle creation has become a form of land art. Some teams of "circlemakers" work anonymously, while others are hired for promotions or documentaries. Many of the more complex designs are now credited to these groups, which operate with remarkable precision, often completing their work overnight.
Despite credible human explanations, some believe crop circles are not solely man-made:
UFO/Extraterrestrial Origin: Popular in conspiracy and UFO communities, this theory holds that aliens use crop circles to communicate or mark territory.
Electromagnetic/Earth Energy: Some theorists suggest the Earth itself (or unknown forces) generates these patterns through magnetism, plasma vortices, or ley lines.
Spiritual or Consciousness-Based: Others interpret the formations as messages from higher-dimensional beings or collective human consciousness.
Though these explanations lack scientific proof, they persist due to the mysterious nature of the phenomenon and the symbolic complexity of some patterns.
Studies into crop circles have shown:
The soil and crops in man-made circles are physically flattened but remain intact.
Electromagnetic radiation levels or soil anomalies have occasionally been recorded, but findings are inconsistent and often not repeatable under controlled conditions.
There’s no verified evidence of extraterrestrial involvement.
Crop circles are mostly human-made artworks or pranks, though they continue to attract attention due to their mystery, beauty, and occasional association with fringe theories. Whether seen as land art, mischief, or mysticism, they remain a fascinating cultural and visual phenomenon.
Would you like a timeline of their history or an image collage showing some of the most famous formations?
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By Independent News Roundup