Georgia's Guidestones -- in pictures

  • Rubble around the Georgia Guidestones after an explosion in Elberton, Georgia, on July 6. WSB-TV / Reuters
    Rubble around the Georgia Guidestones after an explosion in Elberton, Georgia, on July 6. WSB-TV / Reuters
  • The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the monument, which some Christians regard as satanic, was damaged by an explosion before dawn. WSB-TV / AP
    The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the monument, which some Christians regard as satanic, was damaged by an explosion before dawn. WSB-TV / AP
  • People travel from all around the world to see the Guidestones monument, which is near the South Carolina border and two hours east of Atlanta. The Elberton Star / AP
    People travel from all around the world to see the Guidestones monument, which is near the South Carolina border and two hours east of Atlanta. The Elberton Star / AP
  • The Guidestones are made from carved granite, and Elberton touts itself as the granite capital of the world. WSB-TV / AP
    The Guidestones are made from carved granite, and Elberton touts itself as the granite capital of the world. WSB-TV / AP
  • The Guidestones are often referred to as 'America's Stonehenge'. Reuters
    The Guidestones are often referred to as 'America's Stonehenge'. Reuters
  • A wealthy benefactor using the name 'RC Christian' commissioned the monument in 1979. Reuters
    A wealthy benefactor using the name 'RC Christian' commissioned the monument in 1979. Reuters
  • The true identity of the benefactor who had the monument erected remains a mystery. Reuters
    The true identity of the benefactor who had the monument erected remains a mystery. Reuters
  • A large part of the structure was destroyed when 'unknown individuals detonated an explosive device', the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in Tweet. Reuters
    A large part of the structure was destroyed when 'unknown individuals detonated an explosive device', the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in Tweet. Reuters
  • The Bureau released surveillance video showing a blast in the early hours of July bring down one of the slabs that make up the monument. AFP
    The Bureau released surveillance video showing a blast in the early hours of July bring down one of the slabs that make up the monument. AFP
  • Screenshot of a suspect arriving at the scene before the explosion that destroyed the Guidestones on July 6. Reuters
    Screenshot of a suspect arriving at the scene before the explosion that destroyed the Guidestones on July 6. Reuters
  • The mysterious granite monument was engraved with advice on how to protect humanity and was unpopular with conspiracy theorists. Photo: Georgia Bureau of Investigation
    The mysterious granite monument was engraved with advice on how to protect humanity and was unpopular with conspiracy theorists. Photo: Georgia Bureau of Investigation
  • The Guidestones, one of Elberton, Georgia's main attractions, has been destroyed. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    The Guidestones, one of Elberton, Georgia's main attractions, has been destroyed. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • Georgia's Guidestones were often subjected to graffiti. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    Georgia's Guidestones were often subjected to graffiti. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • The monument was made of large granite slabs and sat on private land. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    The monument was made of large granite slabs and sat on private land. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • The Guidestones were carved with positive messages about humanity. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    The Guidestones were carved with positive messages about humanity. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • Conspiracy theorists and some right-wing Christians thought the monument was satanic. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    Conspiracy theorists and some right-wing Christians thought the monument was satanic. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • The Guidestones' messages were inscribed in eight different languages. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    The Guidestones' messages were inscribed in eight different languages. Photo: Kevin Troutman
  • One of Georgia's gubernatorial candidates made destroying the Guidelines a campaign promise. Photo: Kevin Troutman
    One of Georgia's gubernatorial candidates made destroying the Guidelines a campaign promise. Photo: Kevin Troutman