RECENT YEARS

1996 was a benchmark for Crop Circles, because many impressive and large formations made their way to the public awareness (not to put down the beautiful Crop Circles of 1991-1995). The huge spiral-shaped "Julia-set" next to Stonehenge (named after it resemblance to the Julia fractal), the "Triple-Julia" in Windmill Hill and the "DNA strand" in Alton Barnes are all among the most famous and liked Crop Circles of all times.

In 1997 again many spectacular Crop Circles were discovered both in England and in other countries. There were more fractal patterns, some of them constructed on triangular geometry - something never seen before. In 1998 the novelty was seven-fold geometry and five-pointed stars or pentagrams. A repetition of "old" themes from the early nineties could be also observed.

1999 brought square-based fractals and two extremely large and complex seven-folded star patterns. The one that appeared in Bishop Cannings Aug 6, had a floor pattern (the way how the crop is laid down) quite unlike any other formations earlier; it was woven so that it looked like the surface of a basket. This formation was cut down by the farmer just couple of hours after its discovery. When it comes to quantity, 1999 was the peak of 90's in England.

In 2000 very few formations were found in early summer, but this was compensated by very frequent Crop Circle creation in late July and early August. Merely in the county of Wiltshire there could be two or three formations created overnight! Typical designs of 2000 had numerous straight lines crossing each other, forming a complex looking mesh of laid-down triangles or rectangles. Perhaps the most impressive formations was an enormous design looking like a torus shape, discovered in Woodborough Hill in August.