In November 2020, a strange and intriguing event captured the world’s attention: the sudden appearance of a mysterious metal monolith in the remote red rock desert of Utah, USA. What followed was a bizarre sequence of events that left both locals and internet sleuths puzzled, as the monolith vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, only to spark a wave of similar occurrences around the globe.
The Discovery: An Unexpected Find in the Desert
On November 18, 2020, a team from the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau was conducting a routine wildlife survey from a helicopter when they spotted something unusual. Amidst the barren landscape of southeastern Utah stood a gleaming, triangular metal structure, approximately 10 to 12 feet tall. The object, quickly dubbed the “Utah Monolith,” appeared to be made of stainless steel and was firmly embedded in the ground.
The discovery immediately drew comparisons to the famous monolith from Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, leading to widespread speculation about its origin. Was it an art installation, a scientific experiment, or perhaps something more otherworldly? The authorities kept the exact location secret to prevent a flood of visitors, but this only fueled the mystery.
The Media Frenzy: The World Takes Notice
Once images of the monolith were shared online, it didn’t take long for the news to go viral. People around the world became fascinated by the object, theorizing about its purpose and origins. Theories ranged from the monolith being a work of art by a reclusive artist to more outlandish ideas involving extraterrestrial beings.
Amateur sleuths on the internet quickly managed to pinpoint the monolith’s location using Google Earth, where they discovered that it had likely been installed sometime between August 2015 and October 2016. Despite the increasing curiosity, no one claimed responsibility for the installation.
The Disappearance: Gone Without a Trace
As quickly as the monolith appeared, it vanished. On November 27, just nine days after its discovery, the monolith was reported missing. Witnesses later revealed that a group of unknown individuals had dismantled the structure and removed it in the dead of night.
Photographer Ross Bernards, who had visited the site, reported seeing four men approach the monolith, push it over, and carry it away in a wheelbarrow. According to Bernards, one of the men reportedly said, “Leave no trace,” before the group disappeared into the darkness. The removal of the monolith left behind only a small triangular hole in the ground, deepening the mystery and sparking a wave of speculation.
The Global Phenomenon: Monoliths Appear Worldwide
As if the story couldn’t get any stranger, similar monoliths began to appear in various locations around the world shortly after the Utah monolith’s disappearance. Monoliths were spotted in Romania, California, the Netherlands, and even as far away as New Zealand. Each of these structures bore a resemblance to the original Utah Monolith, but like the first one, they often vanished as mysteriously as they appeared.
While some of these monoliths were later revealed to be the work of artists and pranksters inspired by the Utah Monolith, the global spread of these objects underscored how quickly a mystery can capture the public’s imagination, especially in the age of the internet.
The Aftermath: A Modern-Day Enigma
The Utah Monolith remains one of the most unusual events of 2020, a year already marked by global upheaval and uncertainty. Although the mystery of who installed the monolith and why may never be fully resolved, the event highlighted humanity’s enduring fascination with the unknown.
In the end, the monolith saga serves as a reminder that even in a world where information is readily available and mysteries are often quickly debunked, there are still moments that can captivate our collective curiosity and leave us wondering about the deeper meaning of what we see—and don’t see—around us.
