After employees of the nature conservation authority in the US state of Utah found a metal monolith in a remote canyon, the location, which was actually kept secret, is apparently already public thanks to Google Earth. Only the author (s) continues to be puzzled.

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Utah’s Department of Public Safety caused a global sensation with recordings of the unusual object. Its origin could not be explained, similarities to the monolith from the classic film “2001: Odyssey in space “were tried again and again. The exact location should remain secret in order to prevent people from making the not harmless way there.

The canyon in May 2015 (left) and October 2016 (right)

(Image: Google Earth)

Sheep counted, puzzling object found The authorities published photos of the monolith on Monday and stated that the employees had it when counting Bighorn sheep found from the helicopter. On closer inspection on site, they would not have found any obvious evidence of the author (s) and from then on the story took its course. Media around the world reported on it and readily took up the formulation of a participant who can be heard in a video joking about “exploring the alien life form”. The metal object is firmly anchored in the ground and well over three meters high.

Like The Verge now reported, a Reddit user has determined the exact location and was able to use his skills from the online game GeoGuessr. Once found, historical satellite and aerial photos on Google Earth show that the monolith was probably between May 2015 and October 2016. It also looks like the bottom of the small canyon was cleaned up as well. The location is quite remote, so the authorities in charge are now concerned that curious hikers might need help when making their way there. Despite the request to refrain from visiting, there are already the first photos of onlookers.

scenery, art or album cover? The much more important question about the author remains unanswered. Films and series such as “Westworld” (from 2016) were shot in the impressive landscape , but Utah’s film regulator has assured the New York Times that the monolith “as far as we know” did not come from a film production.

Artists are also possible, but here too there are mostly denials, only the rightholders of John McCracken’s work disagree as to whether he was not responsible. In addition, many album covers are found on which similar monoliths can be seen, but so far the one from Utah is probably not included. Should it be the basis for a public work, it is surely only a matter of time before it is found.

The mysterious monolith in Utah (6 pictures) ( Image: Utah Department of Public Safety) (mho)