Martian mystery: unidentified fifth monolith discovered on a hilltop in Wales

The origin mystery complicates the theory of life on Mars

Another, fifth, mysterious steel monolith has been spotted on a hill in Wales, prompting speculation about its possible connection with alien – maybe even Martian – life forms. Locals in Hay-on-Wye spotted a steel block shaped like a triangular chocolate bar near Powys. The sighting follows a string of similar reports across the UK and US in recent years.

Pedestrians have been left baffled by a mysterious steel monolith that has appeared on a hill in Wales. Locals in Hay-on-Wye have spotted a block of steel that looks like a triangular chocolate bar. Some social media posts suggested that the structures were the work of aliens or a sign of life on Mars. Others have denied the rumors, instead suggesting they are an elaborate piece of art. One of the previously discovered monoliths had “Not Banksy” scrawled on it.

Let’s be clear: 2020 saw several monoliths discovered in mostly isolated areas across Europe, including one on Compton Beach on the Isle of Wight and the Merry Maidens stone circle in Cornwall, which attracted hundreds of bloggers.

Richard Haynes, who photographed the last post while jogging around Hay Bluff, told WalesOnline: “I headed towards Hay Bluff to where the trigonometric point is and looked to the right. I thought it looked a little weird and could be a media science research item that collects rainwater. But then I realized that this was too tall and strange a structure for that. Then I walked up to it and it was at least 10 feet tall and triangular in shape, definitely stainless steel. It was hollow and, it seems to me, quite light. Light enough for two people to lift it and plant it in the ground.”

The eyewitness stressed that he had often walked this route and had never seen the monolith before, while a friend who visited the site two weeks ago confirmed that the object was not there at the time.

“I noticed on the online maps that this is a fairly recent occurrence and from what I can tell it goes away in a couple of days,” he added.

The observations have drawn some criticism. While the buildings look neat and attract social media attention, some complain they are tacky, unfunny and damaging to the environment.

Haynes explained: “I don’t know anything about it, but it’s clear that someone would have to dig a big hole to bury this in the ground.”