Things I Like - Sciences

Photo by: Dan Winters - click to enlarge

I'm not sure if this qualifies as Science or not - a recent article in Wired Magazine told the interesting story of these huge granite slabs in Elberton Georgia, a small town about 100 miles north east of Atlanta. Called the American Stonehenge, these slabs are both multi-functional and mysterious.

As far as functionality, the 220,000 pounds of Georgia granite act as a clock, a calendar and a compass (that would be the science component). More importantly, the 16 foot tall slabs are inscribed with a set of 10 'GUIDESTONES TO AN AGE OF REASON' to be used for rebuilding civilization after the apocalypse (which isn't identified in anyway, just kind of assumed). These guidestones, written in 8 of the world's most significant languages, include:

• Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
• Rule passion—faith—tradition—and all things with tempered reason
• Be not a cancer on the earth—leave room for nature—leave room for nature

The mystery associated with the stones is simple - although they were built in 1979 - 1980, no one knows who designed them or financed their building. The only person still living who was involved in the project, a banker by the name of Wyatt Martin who acted as the liaison between the granite company that built the monument and the person who wanted it done, has signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibits his revealing the real name of the individual or group that commissioned the structure.

The monument has become somewhat controversial with Christian groups claiming that it is the work of Satan. But that's probably to be expected - this is serious bible-belt country. Another line of reasoning is that the group behind the monument is the Rosecrusians, a sect born in the 17th century that stresses reason and endorses a harmonic relationship with nature.

Wyatt Martin says this is all bunk, but he's still not telling what he knows. Until he does, the stones are just another tourist attraction, something to make people wonder.
And maybe they always will be.