Crop circles, the enigmatic patterns etched into fields, have long fascinated people and sparked speculation about extraterrestrial involvement. However, the truth behind these intricate formations is much more down-to-earth. In 1978, two friends from England, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, came up with the idea of creating crop circles as a prank. Inspired by the UFO craze that was sweeping the world, they decided to craft their own faux UFO landing site using simple tools like boards, rope, and wire. For years, their creations went unnoticed until the media caught wind of the phenomenon, and the artists decided to come forward and admit it was all a hoax.
Despite the truth being revealed, crop circles still maintain a sense of mystery and allure. Today, crop circle artists use wooden boards to flatten crops like wheat, barley, or canola in elaborate patterns. Southern England remains a hotspot for these formations, although they have also appeared in other parts of the world. While marketers have occasionally used crop circles for advertising purposes, some individuals still believe in their extraterrestrial origins.
Historically, crop circles were linked to supernatural tales, such as the 1678 woodcut chapbook “The Mowing Devil,” which told of a farmer’s oats mysteriously being cut in round circles by the devil. In 1996, the famous “Julia set” crop circle near Stonehenge gained attention, with some speculating on its paranormal origin. And in a lighter twist, some crop circles in Tasmania’s opium fields were discovered to be the result of wallabies hopping around after consuming the poppies and getting “high as a kite.”
In essence, while crop circles have been associated with aliens and UFOs, they are, in reality, artistic creations made by people with a mischievous sense of humor and a flair for creativity. Yet, the fascination and intrigue surrounding these designs continue to captivate the imagination of both skeptics and believers.