Cases outside the UK
There are a high number of circles events on record outside of the UK, although a good number of these are either lacking in meaningful information, or have manifested in plants other than classic crop fields. Consequently some will be found under "Related cases", while others are omitted entirely.
This is of particular note when considering the two prolific countries of Australia and Canada. Because these countries seem to have their own typical circles events, it is helpful to consider these cases on a national basis, rather than lumping all overseas circles into a strict chronology.
Many of these accounts have UFO reports associated with them. We are not placed to judge the UFO-related details and are interested primarily in the circles. Logic says there must be many more of these cases - we would like to hear about them, if anyone can supply information (see Home Page for contact details).
This is of particular note when considering the two prolific countries of Australia and Canada. Because these countries seem to have their own typical circles events, it is helpful to consider these cases on a national basis, rather than lumping all overseas circles into a strict chronology.
Many of these accounts have UFO reports associated with them. We are not placed to judge the UFO-related details and are interested primarily in the circles. Logic says there must be many more of these cases - we would like to hear about them, if anyone can supply information (see Home Page for contact details).
USA
Fantastic work on historical circles from the USA has been conducted by ICCRA - the Independednt Crop Circle Reearchers' Association headed up by Jeffrey Wilson (no relation). Thanks to them we have added perhaps two dozen good quality cases to the historical record, as well as gathering previously unknown data and images on cases known previously. Without their sterling work we would not have the two hitherto undocumented reports below.
Canada
A high number of circles events are known from Canada, numbering in the dozens before 1978. Crop circles when defined strictly are fewer, but the Canadian cases happen to be of immense interest, typically consisting of multi-circle arrays spread across single fields. We outline the most note-worthy below.
Special mention is due to research group Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM), and in particular Chris Rutkowski, who has kept careful documentation on North American UFO cases, from which we are able to pluck incidents which we recognise as crop circle events. (Chris Rutkowski has one other, particularly impressive claim: he is author of one of the world's first magazine feature on crop circles, The Ring Phenomenon, which was published in Canadian UFO Report in 1979. This article can be seen on the "Random evidence" page of this site.)
Special mention is due to research group Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM), and in particular Chris Rutkowski, who has kept careful documentation on North American UFO cases, from which we are able to pluck incidents which we recognise as crop circle events. (Chris Rutkowski has one other, particularly impressive claim: he is author of one of the world's first magazine feature on crop circles, The Ring Phenomenon, which was published in Canadian UFO Report in 1979. This article can be seen on the "Random evidence" page of this site.)
1967 Willen, Manitoba
Six circles in a field of grain
1977 Menzie, Manitoba
Fifteen circles in oats
1977 Rossburn, Manitoba
Eleven rings in wheat
Australia
Australia has a wealth of older crop circle events recorded, roughly equalling Canada in scale. This is largely due to the invaluable work of Keith Basterfield and the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), who compiled a database of Australasian events, many of which are of the crop circle type.
Australia also boasts the most famous pre-1978 event in the world - the Tully 'saucer nests' of 1966. Since these appeared in reeds rather than crops, they can be found under "Related cases". Bona fide crop circles are below:
Australia also boasts the most famous pre-1978 event in the world - the Tully 'saucer nests' of 1966. Since these appeared in reeds rather than crops, they can be found under "Related cases". Bona fide crop circles are below:
1973 Bordertown, South Australia
Seven circles in oats
1973 Wokurna, South Australia
Single circle in wheat
Other overseas circles
Crop circles pre-dating the modern era are known the world over, locations ranging from Japan to Brazil, USA to New Zealand. Most have scant details, but the Overboelare case in Belgium is worth detailing. We also have some fascinating reports of historical circles in southern Africa...
historic old crop circles - overseas circles