The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica

Described as “the happiest country on earth,” the small Central American country of Costa Rica has claimed its place among the most highly revered vacation destinations in the world. And, rightfully so. From snorkeling off the beaches of Tortuga to wildlife watching in the jungles to exploring the slopes of volcanoes, and much more, Costa Rica would appear to have something for everyone. With such abundant activities, it is no wonder that people often forget about the area’s rich history that dates back thousands of years. One of these lesser-known treasures is the “stone spheres of Costa Rica.” 

The first mysterious stone spheres were discovered almost a century ago in the 1930s as the United Fruit Company cleared the jungle with the intent of replacing it with banana orchards. Some of the spheres were damaged by clearing crews; however, when the objects were identified as potentially having great significance, greater care was given to their identification and handling.

Many origin theories have arisen over the years, none of which have been supported by solid evidence. For example, some believe the stones were linked to astronomical events, while others believe the spheres were used as burial or property markers. Of all the theories, though, the most exciting, yet illusory, is that the stones are somehow connected to the famed lost city of Atlantis.   

Basing their theories on uncovered clues, though, archaeologists have linked the spheres to the pre-Columbian Diquis culture, which thrived from AD 700 to 1530. Artisans of that period were known for fine, elaborate craftsmanship including artifacts of gold, bone, and ceramic, as well as stone spheres. It is believed that the spheres were shaped into crude balls using harder stones. Then, to finish the process, the rough orbs were polished to a smoother finish using sand. 

Despite the clues linking the spheres to the Diquis culture, a solid theory for their purpose still alludes everyone, even the locals. Over 300 stones have been found throughout the area, but no pattern or reason has been established for their use. This is not surprising, however; mysterious, ancient stone objects are not a rare find in the world we live in. From Stonehenge to Japan’s Yonaguni Jima to Lake Michigan’s underwater megalith structure, and more, ancient peoples’ creations continue to baffle modern man. More questions than answers surround these enigmatic objects. Yet, that is part of the palpable allure that these spheres incite—the allure of pure mystery.

Dinosaurs and the Bone Wars - A Scientific Gold Rush

In the world we live in, and with our seemingly unchecked access to information, popular conspiracies have become common knowledge. The Internet has revealed these conspiracies such as the fake moon landing, the JFK assassination conspiracy, and the September 11th, 2001 conspiracy. One of the less commonly known proposals, though, is that dinosaurs were never real.

In 1842, Sir Richard Owen classified the theorized giant reptiles as Dinosauria. No complete skeletons were reconstructed and displayed until 1854, and even then the reconstructions were very different than modern depictions of the prehistoric creatures.

Many who oppose the existence of dinosaurs claim that the frenzy to find hidden bones was a result of scientific theory, and the efforts to prove that theory true found something where nothing was actually to be found. In short, the bones never existed. Another tenet of anti-dinosaur conspiracists revolves around the question of why dinosaurs were only discovered in modern times by settlers and explorers. If the gigantic bones indeed existed for millions of years, why did aboriginal groups not find the bones? Why are the fossils and depictions of giant creatures not found in cave and rock art?

Interestingly, during the last few decades of the 1800s, two naturalists-turned-paleontologists—Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Marsh—began a bitter, life-long dinosaur bone hunting rivalry. The two men sought to discover bones on their own, bought bones from local bone collectors, and even stole bones. In an attempt to diminish their rival’s accomplishments, the men slandered each other in public, as well as in scientific journals. All of this was done to lay personal claim to dinosaur discoveries.

To their credit, they did indeed discover dinosaur species. However, in the process Cope and Marsh bankrupted themselves in their insatiable efforts to out-discover the other man. It was claimed that 136 dinosaur species were discovered by the two men. In the end, however, only 32 were considered valid bones of some kind, while the rest were all said to be fake. 

So, whether dinosaurs are a great conspiracy, or not, the early days of the “Great Dinosaur Rush” were marked by poor science and erroneous discoveries from certain members of the scientific community. In our day, we can witness these colossal bones firsthand in public quarries, such as Dinosaur National Park on the Utah/Colorado border of the United States, as well as in museums. For most of us, as we survey the distant landscape, it is not so hard to imagine enormous dinosaurs dotting the scene millions of years ago.   

The Bell Witch Haunting- A Small Town Tennessee Poltergeist

What is it about witches that captures the imaginations of so many people? Is it the endearing, malevolent depiction of witches like in Hocus Pocus or Harry Potter that draws people in? Or, perhaps the darker, more sinister depictions like in The Blair Witch Project? Regardless of the source of the appeal, over the past few decades, films about witches and the menacing side of magic have bubbled up in abundance from Hollywood’s cauldron of creativity. In contrast to these fictional movies, one widely known witch story has been claimed by many to be based on complete truth.

The Bell Witch haunting originated in the southern town of Adams, Tennessee. The events occurred over several years between 1817 and 1821. Although many townsfolk and neighbors claimed to have experienced the strange sightings and occurrences, most of the activity centered around the Bell family. Among the many treatises written about the subject, historian Albert Virgil Goodpasture wrote the following in 1886 in History of Tennessee:

“A remarkable occurrence, which attracted widespread interest, was connected with the family of John Bell, who settled near what is now Adams Station about 1804. So great was the excitement that people came from hundreds of miles around to witness the manifestations of what was popularly known as the “Bell Witch.” This witch was supposed to be some spiritual being having the voice and attributes of a woman. It was invisible to the eye, yet it would hold conversations and even shake hands with certain individuals.”

The witch, often referred to as a poltergeist, and claimed by John Bell to be the spirit of his deceased neighbor Kate Batts, was fondest of pestering John and his beloved daughter Betsy. The spirit would throw items at them, such as furniture and dishes, pull their hair, scream at them during the night to prevent them from sleeping, and do other disturbing acts. In contrast, the other family members and visitors to the home said the spirit was generally pleasant to them. Her voice was said to be “at a nerve-racking pitch” when angry, yet calm and musical when unagitated.

Of the many visitors to the Bell’s home during that time, histories state that then-future President of the United States Andrew Jackson was among the visitors to the Bell's home. Many alleged events happened during his overnight stay, and the next morning he was seen rushing from the town, saying, “I would rather fight the British at New Orleans than fight the Bell Witch.”

Kate’s haunting ended in 1821, though not until after John Bell was dead and buried. Having been afflicted, possibly with a stroke, John Bell went to bed one night but did not wake up the next morning. The family found an unknown vial of medicine in John’s cabinet. When they gave some of the contents to a cat, the animal was poisoned. During these events, the witch allegedly taunted the family, claiming responsibility for placing the vial of poison in the medicine cabinet. According to legend, at John Bell’s funeral, the poltergeist sang vigorously until everyone had left the grave. 

The Bell Witch haunting, if nothing else, is an interesting collection of lore based on supposed witness accounts and historical articles. In truth, the story will probably never make most of us believers in witches. So, for now, we will just keep watching the quality—and not-so-quality—films that emerge from the imaginations of Hollywood’s brightest—and not-so-brightest—scriptwriters.

1957 Levelland, Texas UFO Case

Let’s be honest—over the last century, alleged UFO sightings have not been a rare occurrence. All it takes is an internet search with the right keywords and one can find enough anecdotal stories to fill volumes. What’s one of the most important questions to ask when a sighting occurs…? How many people saw it, of course! For that reason, the UFO sightings that occurred on the night and early morning of November 2nd and 3rd, 1957 present a strong case that something truly unexplained happened on the Texas prairie that fall night.

Manning the police station on that night was Patrolman AJ Fowler. Over the course of two and a half hours, Fowler would receive fifteen separate calls from witnesses near Levelland. Each of them reported seeing an unidentified craft as they were driving. Some reports were that the craft was only flying. Many, however, reported that the craft was either sitting on the road when they approached it or that the flying craft stopped and landed on the road. It was described as cigar or egg-shaped, between one hundred twenty-five and two hundred feet long, and wide enough to cover the entire road when it was on the ground. The craft was said to be either reddish-orange or bluish-green. Also, most of the witnesses that called into the station experienced engine trouble as they approached the object. In each account, the craft eventually departed the area, and each time the vehicles engines suddenly sputtered back to life.    

After receiving many of the calls, Officer Fowler called other police patrol cars in the area to investigate. Subsequently, Fowler received reports from two separate officers that they had seen two objects in the sky with extremely bright lights. The most credible accounts came around 1:30 in the morning when Sheriff Clem saw a bright red object moving in the dark night above. Shortly thereafter, Levelland Fire Chief Ray Jones saw an object in the sky, too. Unlike the other officers who had not experienced engine problems, Chief Jones’ vehicle’s engine and lights sputtered. Then, the excitement died down, and no other sightings occurred.

The claims were investigated by the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, which was created for the purpose of investigating UFO reports across America. After interviewing eyewitnesses, Project Blue Book attributed the events of that night simply to ball lightning. 

So, what really happened that night near Levelland, Texas? As is usually the case with UFO’s, we’ll probably never truly know. However, much more than a lone, drunk person who saw “something” in the sky, these fifteen reports build an impressively comprehensive case. Due to that, the Levelland UFO sightings are much harder to dismiss with a simple roll of the eyes than many other UFO encounters. 

Tikbalang - The Phillipines' Cryptid

When we analyze cryptid reports from all over the world, there’s one thing that’s very clear—cryptids come in many different shapes, sizes, and appearances. There can be many characteristics that are quite common between cryptids, but there can also be immense variation. Often, they are described as having features so strange that even Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm could have never envisioned such fantastical elements. One such creature—the Tikbalang—comes from the isles of the western Pacific.  

The Tikbalang is a prominent creature in Philippine folklore. It lives in the mountains and forested areas and is described as tall and bony with a humanoid body and the head of a horse. However, it is believed amongst locals that Tikbalang can shape-shift into any kind of beast or human. 

Tikbalangs are not particularly nefarious, but they are most certainly devious, and they seem to take impish joy in misleading humans. In one account, a young boy named Jeronimo was walking to his cousin’s house through a coconut grove. On his way, he encountered a Tikbalang that had taken the form of an old man. The impish Tikbalang agreed to guide poor Jeronimo, but instead of guiding him to his cousin’s house, Jeronimo was led into a dense thicket of bamboo from which escape was impossible. There was a small house in this thicket, and Jeronimo was left alone in this house for three days until his desperate relatives were able to find him, hungry and sick.   

In 1589 an exasperated Father Juan de Plasencia documented that the native Philippinos were terrified by the Tikbalang and would trade their rosaries with the beast in order to gain superstitious items to protect them. 

Tikbalang have three golden hairs on their neck. Legend says that the brave will lasso the Tikbalan, climb on its back, and try to pluck one of the golden hairs. If successful, the Tikbalan will be enslaved to the brave soul for the rest of the Tikbalan’s life.   

So, if you’re tired of chasing your local cryptid through the same haunts you been to so many times, hop on a plane and head over to the Philippines. Who knows, if you’re lucky, and good with a lasso, you might just capture a Tikbalang who will be your servant for the rest of your life.  

The Paris Catacombs

History comes in many forms, both tangible and intangible. Humans experience and examine history in many ways. A history book poses facts and questions in a different way than a rusty railroad spike found in the dirt. Yet, both of these items contain history that teaches and sparks the imagination. Cemeteries contain a wealth of historical knowledge, too. In contrast to a line from a popular theme park and movie company, dead men actually do tell tales! Each grave, each epitaph, and each bone has a story to tell. 

Europe is home to some of the most famous graveyards in the world. High on the list in popularity are the Catacombs in Paris, France. The Catacombs are an underground labyrinth of ossuaries that contain the bones of over six million people from the late 18th century. It is hard to fathom that many sets of bones—that many peoples’ once-vibrant lives—together essentially in a mass grave.

Historically, the Catacombs were abandoned underground quarries, stretching several kilometers, that began reconstruction in 1774. The colossal burial site encompasses a portion of Paris’ old mines. The Catacombs were created to eliminate the city's horrific overflowing cemeteries crisis. Nightly processions of covered wagons finally began to transfer human remains from nearly all of Paris' cemeteries into the Catacombs in 1786. The remains were first deposited in haphazard piles but were later placed into neatly organized walls of skulls and other similar-sized bones. 

Today, the Catacombs are open to the public as a museum, attracting over 500,000 tourists each year. Many visitors claim the Catacombs are haunted and have reported hearing voices and seeing orbs and strange shadows in the tunnels. The ghost of a man named Philibert Aspairt allegedly haunts the Catacombs. In 1793, Aspairt lost his way in the in the maze and was found dead eleven years after his disappearance. Aspairt is said to haunt the Catacombs every year on November 3 - the day he went missing. It is said that many other visitors have gone missing in the tunnels and never come back.

Regardless of the veracity of these stories, it is not uncommon for visitors to get that “creepy” feeling while exploring the underground cemetery, and it is easy to understand why. For those who can visit and walk through the Paris Catacombs, they are passing thousands of people, long deceased. Whose to say that the spirits of the dead are not roaming the very same tunnels as those visitors, at the same time? I get the creeps just thinking about it.

Portals - Science Fiction or Science Fact?

Thanks to film, television, books, video games, and other entertainment mediums, the term “portal” is a household word nowadays. Most people know what portals are, or at least have a general idea of what they are. But, there is no way they could be real… right? Well, not according to NASA. NASA might not have made the leap to organic and/or inorganic matter travel, but they have been studying portals in space for years in an attempt to understand phenomena like space weather and the interaction between Earth’s and the sun’s magnetic forces.

For the not-so-scientific humans that most of us non-NASA folks are, however, we are more interested in the ability to travel through time and space. After all, what is more entertaining than daydreaming of going back in time to experience one of Earth’s many historic events? Or, strapping on an oxygen tank and a backpack with some MREs and porting through space to an unexplored planet? The reality is that portals are an interesting overlap of science-fiction and reality.

Aside from NASA’s immensely-long and brutally-boring study of portals, what have we learned of these supernatural gates? For one, many disparate, past civilizations from around the world believed in portals to other realms. For example, the Incan Gate of the Gods, located near Lake Titicaca, Peru, was believed to be a portal through which Incan heroes entered the realm of the gods. Another hypothesized portal is Gobekli Tepe in Turkey. This site, dated to about 12,000 years ago, is said to have functioned as a stargate that the ancient residents used. One final example comes from Lake Michigan. In 2007, underwater archaeologists who were tracking shipwrecks discovered a stone formation 40 feet below the surface. The formation bears a great resemblance to the popular Stonehenge formation in England. Archaeologists do not know what purpose the formation served when it was created, but many people posit that this underwater, American Stonehenge was constructed as a portal or stargate.

Other purported gates exist on Earth, and there is no shortage of proposed sites. Even some curious hieroglyphics have been interpreted by some to show things that have never existed in the Earth’s ancient past, such as gates, aircraft, and submarines. Where did these glyphs come from? Could they be from the future? 

We are hopeful that one day mankind might actually develop or harness the technology of portals. In the right hands, think of all the good that could be done with access to all of time and space. Until then, though, we can live vicariously through, and watch reruns of, Richard Dean Anderson and his intrepid team porting through the universe. Maybe that will be us one day. Maybe.

Aliens in Antarctica

Many Earthlings remain unconvinced that extraterrestrial lifeforms are visiting our planet. Their skepticism mostly comes from a lack of concrete proof available to the public. Most Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) evidence is only anecdotal. Sometimes, the objects in video and photographic evidence are determined to be unidentifiable; those same videos and photographs, though, seen through a different lens, often can be identified as something explainable and of this world.

So, where are all the aliens hiding? Among the different theories is the frozen landscape of Antarctica, a place where most humans tend to avoid. The Antarctic has been of interest to ufologists for decades. However, with the availability to the public of satellite footage over the past twenty years, inquisitive people have searched the snow and ice of the South Pole for signs of alien life and habitation. Often, they are not disappointed. The results of a simple internet search will show many aerial-view photos and snapshots. Some of them are explainable, while others are not.

The links between Antarctica and aliens have been circulating for decades. For example, in 1938, the German ship Schwabenland set sail from Hamburg for Antarctica. It made its voyage to the ice pack and remained there for approximately 30 days before leaving. This sparked interest from people of various beliefs and specialties. Some believe that the Nazis set up an underground base there, and at that base they interacted with aliens in an effort to build superior, decisive technology to defeat their martial enemies. Many of those people believe that the Nazis maintain the hidden base to this very day.

After World War II, in 1946, Admiral Charles Byrd led the United States’ expedition to Antarctica that consisted of at least fifteen ships, multiple aircraft and helicopters, and more than 4700 servicemen. The expedition was called Operation Highjump. UFO theorists have posited that Highjump was a US military operation to locate the hidden Nazi base and to seize it. From there, the US would gain access to the alien-inspired technology that Germany had already developed under the ice. 

Since the events of the 1930s and 1940s, other extraterrestrial happenings have allegedly occurred in Antarctica. There is no shortage of findings and evidence that proves to believers in Earth-visiting aliens that they are here, and that they occupy the regions surrounding the South Pole. Non-believers may not find that evidence so convincing. Regardless of one’s view, the fact remains that much of Antarctica remains unexplored. As such, is it really a leap of faith to open one’s mind to the possibility that something might, in fact, be there that we have yet to discover, and that the “something” might not be of terrestrial origin?   

Yowie - Australia's "Wild Man"

One of the remarkable aspects of cryptozoology is the occurrence of hominoid sightings in such varied places across the globe. In areas of East Africa, for example, creatures called Agogwe have been spotted and commonly described by eyewitnesses as short with reddish hair. Yet, they have not been correlated to standard, documented apes of those regions. An entire ocean and nearly another continent away, in the northwestern locales of South America, is the Mapinguary. This cryptid was described in native traditions as very large—even giant—with red hair. Some early European accounts attested to the existence of such a creature. Throw into this cryptid mix the famous Bigfoot of North America, the Yeti of Asia, and an abundance of lesser-known legends throughout the world, and one can see just how elaborate the hominoid map truly is.    

Another of these elusive creatures is the Yowie of Australia. Modern Yowie sightings have come from many territories, including New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory. The Yowie, or Yahoo as it was originally called, was well-known amongst Aboriginals; however, it is unclear how far back the Yahoo legends go. Sightings by European settlers began soon after their arrival in 1788. In those early days, the British were told by Aborigines of ape-like “Wild men” creatures that occupied the land in different habitats. The British were warned to watch out for the creatures, and to steer clear of them.     

It appears that the original name “Yahoo” was morphed in the 1970’s to the current name “Yowie,” and that the two seemingly different legends represent the same cryptid. Sightings of the creature continue to this day. 

Unlike its distant relatives Bigfoot and Yeti, the Yowie of Australia appears to have a more sinister side. This cryptid has been reported by some as tame, but other reports describe it as having two large, carnivorous fangs, that are used to consume animal flesh. Eyewitness accounts have, at times, caught Yowie consuming wild animals. 

Despite most other hominoids around the world being generally described as “docile,” it seems fitting that an Australian relative would be less tame. After all, Australia is home to a vast number of critters that are designed by nature to hurt and kill, for survival and protection. Why would one expect anything different with Yowie? If anything, its carnivorous ways should earn it more respect as humans continue to seek for evidence that it lurks “down under.”

Fake Moon Landing

The moon is such a fascinating celestial body. It does so much for sustainable life on earth. Among other things, it slows down Earth’s rotation, thus, providing us with a twenty-four-hour day. Its gravity also contributes to Earth’s four seasons. Of course, the most readily-apparent effect it has on Earth is the light it reflects from the sun during nighttime. For all its wonder and splendor, even Galileo could not have imagined that, one day, humans would set foot on the moon. Yet, more than three centuries after his noteworthy life, humans did indeed walk on the moon on July 20th, 1969.

More than five decades after Neil Armstrong made the first human imprints on the ethereal surface of the moon, however, millions of people still doubt the veracity of the event. Did the moon landing happen, or was the event actually the greatest coverup in the world’s history? 

There are many reasons why people doubt that NASA really put astronauts on the moon. For example, the image of the American flag planted on the surface of the moon makes it appear as if the flag is flapping in the wind. How could that be when there is no wind in space? Another argument is that the billions of stars in the vast extensiveness of space cannot be seen in any of the photos. This argument assumes that stars would be seen in the exposures. A final example to consider is that the shadows seen in the photographs are "not right." If the sun were the sole source of illumination on the moon, how would the objects be visible in the shadows?

Experts have answered these questions to the satisfaction of most people investigating the events for their own understanding. For the first argument, the flapping effect seen in the American flag was caused by the pole system designed to keep the flag erect in space. Anyone with an understanding of the development of camera technology understands why there are no stars in the pictures, which clears up the second argument. Lastly, the moon is a giant reflective surface. In the moon landing images, the sun’s rays would have been reflected by the moon’s surface in many directions, including into the shadows.

Arguably the strongest evidence that man did indeed land on the moon is the sheer quantity of people who worked on the NASA project leading up to and during the mission. NASA estimated that over 400,000 people worked on or contributed in some fashion to the training, development, and execution of the historic operation. As a matter of record, none of those people has ever come forward to cast doubt on the event. It seems statistically improbable, if the landing were a hoax, that not a single person out of 400,000 people would have come forward.

Hoax, or not, the evidence seems clear that Apollo 11 did launch from Earth, travel approximately 240,000 miles to the moon, land, and return to Earth. At a time during the Cold War when the United States needed technological and morale wins, NASA answered the call. And, perhaps, Galileo’s spirit stood approvingly in Mission Control as Armstrong uttered the legendary phrase, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The Haunted Mausoleums of La Recoleta Cemetery

The Haunted Mausoleums of La Recoleta Cemetery

Why is it that cemeteries are so often associated with ghosts? Is it because we have been heavily influenced by movies and books wherein ghosts and ghouls roam amongst the crypts and headstones of graveyards? Or, perhaps, over the years, we have been exposed to local, oral traditions that speak of these haunted places. Regardless of the origins, the simple fact remains that when people think of cemeteries, they often think of ghosts.

One of the most famous haunted cemeteries outside of the United States and Europe is La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Housing over 6,000 souls, the graveyard is comprised mostly of large, ornate mausoleums. The crypts are decorated with flowers, busts, and even full-sized statues of their denizens. And, sometimes, in the quiet moments, those statues—and the interred corpses within—have been the only other occupants present when visitors heard noises echoing through the passageways.

Of course, as with all haunted places, legends abound, directing attentive listeners’ minds to both exciting and dreadful accounts. One such legend, and definitely the most famous from La Recoleta Cemetery, is that of Rufina Cambaceres. There are several versions of her story. In one version, she was preparing for an evening out when she had a seizure. Not long after, she was confirmed deceased by doctors. She was placed in a casket and prepared for burial. 

The story takes a spooky turn when, later, someone noticed that the coffin lid was slightly ajar. After removing the lid, investigators found clear evidence that Rufina had been buried alive! Claw marks from her own hands, as well as her own dried blood in the coffin, showed that she had awoken from death—or perhaps a misdiagnosis—in her tomb. Rufina is purported to be one of the ghosts that haunt the famed cemetery.

Other stories are easy to find, and each has its own unique, creepy twists that are sure to excite anyone interested in the supernatural. This is not unique to one cemetery, though. Whether a person is visiting La Recoleta or any of the other seemingly countless graveyards in the world, it is easy to feel a sudden chill course down one’s spine when in the presence of the dead. After all, cemeteries are designated for the dead, and, who knows, maybe the dead actively roam their territory more than we think. 

Stonehenge - Monoliths of Mystery

Stonehenge

The world is full of fascinating locales that, for centuries, have roused the imaginations of everyone from mystery lovers to truth seekers. These types of places can be found in all climates, cultures, and countries around the globe. Of all of these, though, England has more than its fair share of intriguing locations. History and mystery enthusiasts alike could fill their schedules with a seemingly unending list of destinations to visit.

When people think of the mysterious history of England, often the first image that comes to mind is Stonehenge. Located 8 miles (13km) outside of Salisbury, Stonehenge regularly averaged over a million visitors per year for more than a decade leading up to 2020. General visitors can get to within 10 meters, or so, of the stones, but it is said that other specialized tours take visitors into the heart of the enclosure during certain times.

Regardless of how close one gets, the awe for and magnitude of the site are equally compelling. The large, visible sarsen stones were not the first objects placed at the site. Beginning over three thousand years BC, timbers were affixed at the site. Later, stone replaced timber as the constructors’ medium of choice. But, who built Stonehenge? And, why build it in the first place? Experts have definitively determined that the arrangement of the stones aligns with the sunrise of the summer solstice and the sunset of the winter solstice. However, that knowledge does not answer the lingering questions above, and even experts still do not have definitive answers for who and why.

Records indicate that the ancient bones of dozens of people have been discovered at Stonehenge, leading archaeologists to believe that the site was possibly used as a burial ground, or in conjunction with a belief or rite associated with death. Another theory posed is that Stonehenge was used as a place to gather for the winter solstice. This theory comes from the analysis of uncovered bones of animals on the site. The animals were presumedly born in the spring but died around the winter solstice, which led experts to believe that people had aggregated at Stonehenge for that event. Other theories, many of which are of supernatural origin, have been proposed.

If you are like many visitors to England, Stonehenge is at the top of your lengthy list of sites to see. And well it should be! The place is buzzing with a mysterious, supernatural vibe. So, block off some time on your calendar. And, if you are driving the roads to Salisbury, we recommend that you find yourself some piping-hot fish and chips along the way. After all, what is more English than fish and chips… and ancient ruins?

Portland Shanghai Tunnels

There are few prospects more terrifying than that of being kidnapped, never to see one’s family and home again. This heinous crime has been practiced for thousands of years, and, unfortunately, is still practiced all over the world today. There may be many reasons why kidnappers do what they do, and profit is at the top of that list. 

Stories are in circulation that Portland, Oregon, USA, was at one time a major hub for kidnapping unaware individuals for duty on the high seas, also known as shanghaiing. Shanghaiing is kidnapping coupled with forced servitude aboard a ship. It was practiced in eras when unskilled sailors were needed for furling and unfurling a ship’s sails. Port cities like London, England, Charleston, South Carolina, San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon were among the well-known centers for shanghaiing. With the advent of steamships, however, the need for large quantities of unskilled sailors decreased, thus ending the general practice of shanghaiing. 

Beneath the streets of Portland, there are dark, mysterious tunnels that were built in the 1800s to provide accessways for businesses to transport their goods to and from ships docked at the Willamette River. The tunnels were vast and complex. Generally, historians believe the tunnels were solely used for the purpose of transporting goods.

In the 1960s, though, articles appeared in local newspapers claiming that the tunnels had been used in the 1800s for other purposes. Smuggling, prostitution, mob business, intrigue, and shanghaiing were amongst the more nefarious activities that were allegedly conducted in the dark passages.

It was said—and is still reported to this day by Portland tour guides—that unsuspecting, drunken tavern patrons were whisked away into the tunnels through secret access points. Once inside the passageways, they were taken through the labyrinth to the docks where they were put aboard a waiting vessel for a forced stint aboard a ship.

Historians doubt the veracity of these claims, basing their doubt on the lack of physical evidence. Portland tour guides love to peddle these stories, though, and it is easy for tourists to imagine sinister things happening in the darkness. Since Portland was known to be a shanghaiing city, it is quite possible that the activity did happen with the aid of the subterranean halls. 

Regardless, though, the tunnel’s existence, combined with anecdotal stories of shanghaiing, adds a palpable mystery to Portland’s tunnels. And everyone loves a good mystery. 

Area 51 - America's Secret Base

Of all the places in the world which arouse speculation and wonder, Area 51 easily takes the cake. The activities that occur inside the facility have been kept prodigiously secret since the 1950s when the barren land was claimed and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Prior to that time, Groom Lake, the dry salt flat located on Area 51, was used during World War II for flight training.

Approximately 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV, and just a few miles from the Nevada Test Site, where hundreds of nuclear weapon tests were conducted in the 1950s and 1960s, Area 51 is ideally suited for secrecy. Generally, it is boxed in by mountains, preventing hobbyists and spies alike from getting a ground-level peak. Security has increased over the years from simple barbed-wire fencing to high-tech barriers and observation. 

Since its inception in the 1950s, Area 51 has been America’s test site at the forefront of many of the country's clandestine, advanced technology programs. That we know of, the U2 and A-12 Oxcart —the precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird variants— were assembled and test flown there as part of America’s spy program against the USSR. The F-117 Nighthawk was also test flown out of Area 51. Area 51 remains active, and projects are ongoing to this day.  

Theories abound concerning suspected unpublished projects that have taken place and are ongoing at Area 51. Ufologists maintain a heavy interest in the facility. Much of their interest comes from “whistleblowers” such as Bob Lazar, the famous Area 51 employee who revealed in a 1989 interview with a Las Vegas, NV news journalist that the U.S. government was working to understand and replicate alien technology, and was even housing extraterrestrial beings at the facility, whom he claimed he saw. 

Interest also stems from civilian sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the vicinity of Area 51. However, cover-up or not, the CIA and U.S. Air Force have correlated most of the reported sightings over the past decades to test flights of their new, highly classified, and far-advanced aircraft projects.   

Regardless of what goes on in Area 51, it is a fact that some of America’s most advanced technology has rolled and flown across the facility and the surrounding desert. It is also a fact that the majority of people will continue to speculate about the goings-on inside the fences. Who knows, maybe the next technology to come from the base will be a hoverboard, or a flying car. Or, maybe if we are lucky, one day the world will get concrete evidence of UFOs and extraterrestrials at Area 51.

Our Amazing Earth - Spherical or Flat?

For a large percentage of the earth’s history, humans believed the earth was flat. For millennia, the theory of a flat earth was derived from information received through the human body’s senses. Explorers, sailors, and people in general believed that one could eventually come to the edge of the world and fall off.

Although it took generations to replace, the flat earth theory began losing traction starting with the scientific advances of the Greek astronomers. From there, the spherical earth theory gained in popularity all the way through today. Most of the world today believes in a spherical earth. However, there is a growing trend where some people are moving back to a belief in a flat earth.

The flat earth theorists, or “flat earthers,” generally believe the earth is disc-shaped, with the Arctic Circle established as the center and Antarctica comprising the outer boundary around the entire earth. Beyond that boundary is space, although the edge cannot be seen due to the refraction of light by atmospheric air. Gravity is not pulling objects down to earth, but is, rather, pushing the earth up to meet objects. Therefore, when an object falls, it is not actually falling, but the earth is coming up to that object. Additionally, the sun is always above the earth, but as it moves over one hemisphere, the other hemisphere is cast in darkness due to the bending of light. The theory has other tenets, too, that won’t be discussed within this article.

Most “spherical earthers” would advance many arguments in opposition to the beliefs of “flat earthers.” Such arguments include space travel “around” the earth, photos from space of a round earth, the setting of the sun, and many more. It must be heavily emphasized that “flat earthers” are not from a particular class of knuckle draggers; they come from all walks of life and all levels of education, including what the civilized world would categorize as “highly educated.” As such, “flat earthers” have theories and explanations for all the arguments against their beliefs and cannot be painted with the broad brush of “buffoons,” as many opponents would like to do.        

Regardless of one’s beliefs concerning the shape of the earth, or any subject for that matter, it’s always wise to understand the beliefs of those who think differently. And, who knows, as fickle as science can be, perhaps one day flat earth theory might be en vogue again.

Wendigo - The Winter Predator

Many creatures instill dread in the hearts of people across the world. Most of these creatures are man-eaters. Lions, anacondas, and sharks are just a handful of representations of these animals. Yet, there’s one creature that, if known to the public, would elicit fear in the hearts of all people, no matter how brave or stoic.

The Wendigo comes from Algonquian folklore and is a cannibalistic humanoid that feeds on human flesh. The Algonquians live in the cold climate of eastern Canada. Their belief in and stories of the wendigo go back for generations.

The Wendigo is a spirit that is described in many forms, but always in the form of a human. In size, it is said to be up to 15 feet tall but never stops growing; the more it feeds on human flesh, the larger it becomes. It has been described as similar in appearance to that of a human corpse. Often it is said to have a lipless mouth with large fangs. It has also been described as having a human body with the head of a deer.

Regardless, in Algonquian folklore, the Wendigo is said to hunt humans during the cold and dark winter months. However, being consumed by this terrifying creature is not the worst fate. The Wendigo can also possess the spirits of susceptible people, those who let their carnal desires go unchecked in life. When a person is possessed by a Wendigo, he or she turns into a cannibal, craving the flesh of other people, even their closest family members. For the pure in heart, the thought of turning into a monster that preys upon their loved ones is horrifying beyond anything else.

So, if you are ever in the woods during wintertime, you should remember the story of the Wendigo. If it happens that you feel a palpable sense of dread come over you, there is a good chance that a Wendigo is nearby and that it intends for you to be its next victim.

The Battle of Los Angeles – America’s Mainland Invasion

Few living people know what it truly feels like to experience the paralyzing fear, debilitating stress, and complete helplessness of having their homeland invaded. Of the few that do know what it feels like, most of them are elderly, and their numbers are dwindling every day. Millions of people from across the world experienced invasions during World War II. The United States of America was no foreigner to invasion, with Alaska and several US territories in the Pacific Ocean being invaded and occupied by the forces of the Empire of Japan. One little-known invasion, however, occurred on the mainland United States, and the unknown aggressor is theorized by many to be other-worldly.

On the morning of February 25th, 1942, thousands of Americans witnessed something in the sky that no one—not even the US military—has ever been able to decisively explain. Tensions were already high along the California coastline from an attack on February 23rd in which a Japanese submarine surfaced and shelled a US military fuel depot. Additionally, a warning was issued during the day on the 24th that a Japanese attack was expected.

Early on the morning of February 25th, sirens alerted all residents of Los Angeles of an air raid. Many scrambled for shelter as a blackout of all lights was affected. The intent of the blackout was to prevent the airborne enemy from easily navigating and identifying American targets.

Soon, antiaircraft batteries spotlighted and began firing at an object in the air. It is reported that nearly 1,500 airburst antiaircraft shells were fired at the illuminated object. Yet, despite the heavy barrage, the object continued to press through the sky at a slow pace. A lucky photographer even took a photo of the object, which circulated in the newspapers soon after the event. The object eventually departed Los Angeles airspace and disappeared when the sun’s light began to illuminate the sky.

Years later during an inquiry conducted by the US government, it was reported that a weather balloon had been released that night in the vicinity of the action. According to the US government, this was officially the cause of the initial alarms. However, many residents of Los Angeles saw the object in the sky as it was being fired at by antiaircraft artillery, and they reported at the time that the object was not an airplane, nor was it a weather balloon. Other explanations abound, which may indeed warrant a more thorough inquiry into the events of that morning.

Regardless, for many, there is still doubt as to the origin of the flying object. If it were a weather balloon, why didn’t the antiaircraft artillery bursts, with their razor-sharp shards of shrapnel and expansive explosion radii, penetrate the balloon and bring it down? Why did many eyewitnesses describe an object that was not close to anything in any country’s military arsenal at that time? Many questions still arise, and with the perpetual passing of time, so do the chances of discovering the truth of the Battle of Los Angeles.

The Langham Hotel – London’s Most Haunted

There are many places in the world that claim to have ghosts roaming about. Sometimes, the locations are private residences, and sometimes they are public establishments. Generally, the greater the number of reported ghost sightings, the stronger an alleged haunt’s credibility. So, clearly, not all paranormal abodes are created—or haunted—equally.

London, England is no newcomer to the world of the haunted and paranormal. Having been around for two thousand years, London has plenty of history, and plenty of true-life horror stories, to support a healthy population of spooks. One might easily imagine seeing the historic streets through another lens  that revealed a myriad of lingering spirits amongst the living.

The Langham Hotel, located in the heart of London, is reported to be one of the most haunted locations in the city. It first opened in June of 1865. In just over one and a half centuries, the hotel has accumulated no less than five notorious spooks that both hotel guests and staff have seen and reported on multiple occasions. 

A commonly reported sight is the appearance of a ball of light that gradually morphs into the shape of a human. One famous sighting of the ball of light occurred in 1973. A BBC Radio announcer was staying in the Langham Hotel’s infamous room 333. This room is purportedly the most haunted room in the entire hotel. During the night, the announcer awoke and saw the orb of light. The orb gradually changed into human form. In his shocked and fearful state, the announcer observed that the spirit’s legs appeared to extend approximately two feet down into the floor. Interestingly, after this incident information was released that the Langham Hotel’s original floor was two feet below the level of the modern floor. The alteration had been done to accommodate the addition of central heating pipes for guests’ comfort.

Other stories surrounding the haunting of the Langham Hotel abound and are available with a simple internet search. For the brave and adventurous, however, the hotel staff can accommodate guests’ wishes to have a chance at experiencing the legendary hauntings in person. Is that a wise decision? Generally, the odds are in their favor. On the other hand, if their ghoulish encounter goes awry, they just might end up joining London’s resident population…of haunting spirits.      

Dyatlov Pass: Mystery in the Urals

Missing eyeballs, extensive abrasions, inadequately clothed bodies, a tent torn open from the inside, and the presence of radioactive material on corpses are just a few of the mysterious and creepy details that have led people for decades to ask, “What really happened to the Dyatlov hikers that fateful day in 1959?”

In January of that year, a group of nine experienced hikers set off on a three-week winter hiking and camping trip into the Ural Mountains of Russia. Originally, a tenth member accompanied them, but, due to medical reasons, he departed the group and returned home earlier in the expedition.

The nine remaining members were scheduled to arrive home by mid-February, but when they still had not arrived over a week after their due date, authorities were notified, and a search was initiated. The rescue team followed the missing group’s proposed route and found the hikers’ final campsite, which was located on the slopes of Kholat Syakhi (Dead Mountain).

Over the course of several weeks, the rescue team found five of the missing hikers in the vicinity of the campsite. The remaining four were found several months later once the snow began to thaw. Clues as to the causes of their untimely deaths were inconclusive, and, to this day, theories abound, ranging from supernatural to environmental factors. The clues, scattered across the mountainside, have been enough to fill even the sanest imaginations with eerie visions of unnatural powers at play. 

In spite of the nine companions being experienced hikers, some mysterious, external factor, whether natural or unexplained, changed the outcome of the trip in what appears to be the blink of an eye.

For the Dyatlov hikers incident, no theory has ever been established as fully conclusive. Therefore, it is an indisputable possibility that the experienced hikers’ lives were cut short by some menacing force. If that were the case, it is also possible that the same menace still lurks in the Ural Mountains today.   

MOTHMAN - Harbinger of Doom

MOTHMAN CRYPTID

Harbinger of Doom

Lore is defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “a traditional knowledge or belief.” Lore has united people with their communities, families, ancestors, and more for millennia. It has also created division and conflict on micro and macro levels. For The Supernatural University, though, lore is all about knowledge and exploration of the mysteries of our world…and beyond. 

One of the goals of The Supernatural University is to examine the unexplained, creepy, and other-worldly from both the past and the present in an educational and entertaining way.  

One of the numerous cryptids that students of The Supernatural University will explore is Mothman. Stories of giant, bird-like creatures with human characteristics have been around for centuries and can be traced to different areas and peoples of the world. In modern times, Mothman sightings began in 1966 near a small West Virginia town during the Johnson administration. However, just as with ancient reports, modern sightings have not been confined to West Virginia or to the United States. Mothman sightings have been disclosed in multiple countries, with the furthest sightings from West Virginia being half-way around the world in Moscow, Russia and Beijing, China.

In our day, Mothman has been described as either a large, gray creature or a large flying creature, much like a human, but with ten-foot wings. Red glowing eyes are a common, unnerving characteristic of all descriptions. Eyewitness accounts state that it is capable of horizontal and vertical flight at tremendous speeds, as well as hovering flight. 

Mothman has never been authoritatively connected with hostile acts towards humans. On the contrary, the legendary creature has been present prior to many catastrophic events. This has led many to believe that the appearance of Mothman is a warning of impending destruction. Events where Mothman was spotted prior to a significant occurrence include, but are not limited to, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the attack on the twin towers in New York City in 2001, and the collapse of a bridge near and shortly after the West Virginia sightings in 1966.

Despite the public’s documentation of strange, large, flying creatures, no verifiable evidence has come of the existence of Mothman. Still, the widespread reports from so many people—many of whom still stand by their stories decades later—keep our curiosity and hopes alive that Mothman will one day be found for the world to know, and that his intentions, whether sinister or benign, will be revealed.