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| Crop circles | |
|---|---|
| Name | Crop circles |
| First reported | 17th century (reports), 1970s (modern surge) |
| Location | global, notable in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire |
| Types | simple circles, complex geometric patterns, fractal designs |
| Causes | human-made patterns, wind effects, soil compaction |
Crop circles are patterns created by the flattening of cereal crops and other vegetation into geometric or pictorial designs. Reported sporadically since the 17th century and widely publicized from the 1970s onward, they have attracted attention from BBC, National Geographic Society, New Scientist, and investigative bodies such as Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Coverage spans scientific journals, tabloid newspapers like The Sun (United Kingdom), and broadcast outlets including ITV and Channel 4 (United Kingdom).
Historical mentions appear in sources tied to John Wilkins (bishop), Robert Plot, and regional chronicles of Wiltshire and Salisbury Plain. The modern phenomenon intensified with reports near Devizes and Stonehenge in the 1970s, prompting involvement by researchers linked to University of Bath and the Royal Society. High-profile events in the 1980s attracted attention from figures associated with Center for UFO Studies, Mutual UFO Network, and investigative journalists from Time (magazine). The 1991 confession by Doug Bower and Dave Chorley led to coverage in The Guardian and legal notices involving landowners such as English Heritage. Subsequent decades saw academic contributions from teams at University of Exeter, University of Sheffield, and collaborations with organizations like Natural England.
Patterns range from simple round impressions to elaborate formations displaying symmetry comparable to structures studied at Royal Institution seminars and motifs referenced in works in Mathematical Association circles. Designs often occur in cereals like barley and wheat grown in regions administered by councils including Wiltshire Council and estates such as Blenheim Palace grounds. Researchers from Rothamsted Research and laboratories affiliated with University of Reading documented physical markers: bent stalks, nodes elongated, and variations in soil compaction measurable by teams from British Geological Survey and instrumentation used in studies published in outlets like Nature (journal) and Journal of Archaeological Science. Photographic records archived by Historic England and satellite images from European Space Agency complement high-resolution aerial surveys conducted by operators registered with Civil Aviation Authority.
Documented human techniques include construction using planks, ropes, measuring tapes, string lines, and tools reported in tutorials published by groups such as The Centre for Fortean Zoology and DIY guides circulated through BBC Radio 4 features. Notable human practitioners connected to the admissions include the duo linked to The Times (London) interviews and workshops run by artists associated with Royal Academy of Arts outreach programs. Mechanical flattening via agricultural implements and deliberate trampling tracked by farm machinery registries has been corroborated by county constabularies including Wiltshire Police. Some proposals invoking natural agents reference studies by Met Office climatologists, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and soil scientists at Cranfield University examining vortex wind phenomena and plasma hypotheses debated at meetings of the Institute of Physics.
Multidisciplinary inquiry involved authors from University of Southampton, Imperial College London, and independent analysts publishing in Nature and proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society. Explanations advanced in peer-reviewed venues encompass mechanical flattening demonstrated by experiments at University of Bristol, statistical analyses by scholars at University of Oxford, and biophysical studies of plant responses from John Innes Centre. Organizations like Skeptical Inquirer and academics associated with Penn State University conducted forensic analyses contrasting human-made signatures with claimed anomalous markers. Instrumental methods applied include radiometric assays used in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory style facilities, electron microscopy comparable to work at National Physical Laboratory, and aerial photogrammetry techniques employed by teams at University College London.
Crop formations entered popular culture through documentaries produced by BBC Two, dramatizations referenced on HBO and Netflix, and music videos by artists who performed at venues like Wembley Stadium. Literary mentions appear in novels published by Penguin Books and scholarly essays in collections from Oxford University Press. Visual art and gallery exhibits curated by institutions such as the Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum have showcased photographs and installations inspired by the designs. Television programs including Top Gear (2002 TV series) and investigative series on Channel 4 (United Kingdom) explored public reactions, while talk show segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon debated authenticity.
Admitted hoaxes by individuals covered in reports from The Independent and confessions disseminated through interviews on BBC Radio 5 Live prompted legal attention involving landholders represented by solicitors from firms listed in The Law Society directories. Issues include trespass and crop damage cases brought before courts such as Magistrates' court (England and Wales) and civil claims occasionally adjudicated at High Court of Justice. Ethical debates engaged scholars from University of Cambridge ethics centers and commentators at The Times (London) about cultural appropriation, artistic license, and impacts on agricultural livelihoods overseen by institutions like National Farmers' Union.
Prominent occurrences recorded in Wiltshire fields near Stonehenge, recurring sites around Avebury and Cherhill, and international hotspots including Hokkaido, Victoria (Australia), and Kansas. High-profile formations prompting academic study were photographed by aerial teams operating with clearance from Civil Aviation Authority and archived by collections at Historic England and regional museums such as Wiltshire Museum. Investigative journalism pieces in The Guardian and The New York Times chronicled major incidents involving media attention from outlets including Reuters and Associated Press.
Category:Phenomena