A rural Georgia monument that some conservative Christians have criticized as satanic was bombed before dawn on Wednesday, damaging one of four granite panels that some people dubbed "America's Stonehenge."
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the Georgia Guidestones monument near Elberton was damaged by an explosive device.
Elberton Granite Association Executive Vice President Chris Kubas told local news outlets that the monument was significantly damaged. Pictures and drone footage show one of the four stone panels in rubble on the ground.
The enigmatic roadside attraction was built in 1980 from local granite, commissioned by an unknown person or group under the name R.C. Christian. The 19-foot-high panels bear a 10-part message in eight different languages with guidance for living in an "age of reason." One part calls for keeping world population at 500 million or below, while another calls to "guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity."
It also serves as a sundial and astronomical calendar.
The Guidestones have interested tourists over the decades — as well as conspiracy theorists and graffiti vandals.
The roadside attraction received renewed attention during Georgia's May 24 gubernatorial primary when third-place Republican candidate Kandiss Taylor claimed the guidestones are satanic and made demolishing them part of her platform.
The site is about 7 miles north of Elberton, near the South Carolina state line. Granite quarrying is a top local industry.
GBI says the bomb appears to have gone off around 4 a.m., with sheriff's deputies responding to discover the damage. Some residents told local news outlets they heard an explosion at that time.
Elbert County sheriff's deputies, Elberton police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were among agencies trying to figure out what happened.
The monument had previously been vandalized.
Kubas said he's saddened by the damage he saw after the alleged bombing.
"Certain people didn't like what was written on them and that's understandable," he said. "But you didn't have to come here and look at them. You didn't have to read about them."
Kubas said Elbert County maintains lights and security cameras at the site.
