The Georgia Guidestones
A granite monument with ten rules for humanity in eight languages was put up by an unknown sponsor in 1980.
What was reported
In 1979 a man using the name R. C. Christian ordered a monument from a granite company in Elberton, Georgia. Unveiled in 1980, it had four slabs nearly 6 metres tall, carved with ten 'guides' for a future humanity in eight modern languages, including keeping the world's population under 500 million.
The slabs were aligned with the Sun's movements, and a slot showed the North Star. Who paid for it was kept secret, and it drew conspiracy theories for decades.
Explanations offered
In July 2022 it was badly damaged by an explosion, and the rest was taken down for safety. The identity of 'R. C. Christian' has never been confirmed. Its message reflected Cold War fears about nuclear war and overpopulation.
- When
- 1980–2022
- Where
- Elbert County, Georgia, USA
- Witnesses
- Local people and visitors
- Status
- Never solved
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.