The Crop Circle Phenomenon

Since the late 1970s, increasingly elaborate geometric patterns have appeared in crop fields, primarily in southern England. While many are known hoaxes, the sheer complexity and scale of some formations have convinced believers that conventional explanation cannot account for all cases.

Early Circles

The modern phenomenon began in the late 1970s in Wiltshire, near ancient sites like Stonehenge and Avebury. Simple circles appeared in wheat and barley fields, often discovered at dawn. Their origin was unknown.

Escalating Complexity

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the formations became increasingly complex. Simple circles gave way to elaborate geometric patterns: spirals, fractals, representations of mathematical formulas, and designs hundreds of feet across involving multiple interlocking elements.

The Hoaxers

In 1991, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley confessed to creating many crop circles using simple tools: boards, rope, and surveying equipment. Other groups subsequently revealed their own creations. Many circles are now understood to be human-made art installations.

Anomalous Cases

Despite the admitted hoaxes, some researchers claim certain formations show characteristics impossible to fake: bent but unbroken stalks, residual electromagnetic anomalies, and changes to the soil’s crystalline structure. These claims remain controversial.

Current Status

Crop circles continue to appear each summer, particularly in England. Whether created by humans, natural phenomena, or something stranger, they have become both a form of landscape art and an enduring mystery.

Assessment

The crop circle phenomenon demonstrates how human creativity and mystery can intertwine. Even knowing that most formations are human-made, the question of whether any represent genuine anomalies remains open.