Facts
Facts
The Georgia Guidestones, also known as America’s Stonehenge, is a granite monument erected in Elbert County, Georgia, in 1980. The four giant stone slabs feature a set of 10 guidelines or principles engraved in eight different languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Each of these guidestones measures 16 feet, 4 inches tall, making them collectively the tallest stones of their kind in the world. The stones also function as an astronomical calendar. They align with the sun, marking the solstices and equinoxes. Despite being located on private land, the monument is open to the public.
History
The history of the Georgia Guidestones is wrapped in a distinct blend of mystery and controversy. An individual using the pseudonym R.C. Christian reportedly approached the Elberton Granite Finishing Company in 1979, wishing to build a monument that would provide guidance to humanity in case of a catastrophe. R.C. Christian mentioned that he represented a small group of loyal Americans who had been planning this for 20 years. The construction of the monument involved notable precision. There was considerable backlash from the local community due to the secrecy surrounding its construction and the controversial message inscribed on the stones.
Mystery
The true identity of R.C. Christian and his group remains unknown, creating a shroud of mystery around the Georgia Guidestones. Many conspiracy theories circulate around the monument. Some suggest that it is the work of a secret society, while others believe it to be the site for satanic rituals. The guidelines inscribed on the stones have garnered criticism, as they discuss population control, a one-world government, and a new social order, leading many people to associate them with the New World Order conspiracy theory. Despite the many theories surrounding the monument, its exact purpose and the identity of its creators remain a mystery.
On July 6, 2022, a bombing heavily damaged the guidestones, leading to their dismantling later that day. In the following weeks, Elberton Mayor Daniel Graves disclosed intentions to reconstruct the monument. Nevertheless, on August 8, the Elbert County Board of Commissioners decided to contribute the monument’s remains to the Elberton Granite Association and revert the 5 acres of land, on which the monument stood, to its original owner.
