PEEBLES, Ohio – A crop circle that appeared in a Peebles soybean field almost a month ago is still the object of curiosity seekers and researchers alike.

The design, located across from the entrance of Serpent Mound on Ohio 73 near Locust Grove, was first discovered by Delsey Knoechelman of Peebles around 11 a.m.

Knoechelman notified the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, saying the design was not in the field on Saturday when she inspected the crop for flood damage.

Since its discovery, researchers have descended upon the site, trying to determine if the circle is “real” or a hoax.

Adams County Sheriff Dispatcher Amanda Myers said recently the number of curiosity seekers and researchers has created trouble for the owner of the property.

“The property owner, Ms. Williams, is worried that the soybean crop will be damaged with all the people walking around out there,” said Myers.

“The department is asking people to stay off the property, and we are prepared to prosecute trespassers,” said Myers.

Jynx Jenkins, a reporter with the People’s Defender newspaper in Adams County, said the increase in traffic at the area has reached such a point that “even the researchers need permission to gain access to the property.”

Crop circle researchers Jeff Wilson of Michigan and Roger Sugden of Indiana enlisted the help of Doug McIlwain, West Union resident and President of Great Serpent Mound Chapter of the American Society of Dowsers to take soil samples and conduct tests using a Y-rod to find water or minerals below the design.

“The design has an energy line through the center circles of the pictograph that line up with Serpent Mound,” said McIlwain. “The energy line is not water, it is too straight for that,” he said.

The design consists of several markings. The smaller circles on the sides of the design measure 12 feet in diameter with the larger bottom circle measuring 16 feet. The total design measures 300 feet in diameter.

McIlwain said Wilson and Sugden are taking crop and soil samples – in and outside the circle – looking for abnormalities such as magnetic, electrical and radiation concentrations.

According to McIlwain, Wilson has documented high concentrations of minerals in the western most circle of the design, high radiation levels inside the design, as well as higher electrical and magnetic fields than those outside the markings.

“There appears to be a metabolic change to the soybeans located on the inside of the circle,” said McIlwain.

Whatever it is, it has had a significant affect on the soybeans McIlwain said.

McIlwain said from all indications, this is not a hoax but a genuine crop circle, and finds it interesting most crop circles appear near ancient and sacred burial sites, such a Serpent Mound.

“Personally I think crop circles are a great mystery and a professional team of scientists is needed to conduct research to find out why these have been appearing since the 1600s,” McIlwain said.

Wilson expects to release the results of his findings in October.

Local ufologist and field investigator for Mutual UFO Network Victor Hamm said he was unaware of the crop circle reporting, since his area of expertise is in UFO sightings.

Hamm said he doesn’t typically work with crop circles, and it is “hard to determine if they’re real or a hoax.”

“UFOs don’t hang out that long to do the work required to make a crop circle,” said Hamm.

Hamm also said UFOs look for areas that can provide water and soil samples and livestock.

“If this was a UFO, there would be burnt spots or indentations in the ground if something had landed,” Hamm said.

Hamm said the crop circle in Adams County is “probably an authentic crop circle, but I think they are more human than anything.”

Hamm said the proximity of the circle to Serpent Mound is interesting, since the mound is a spiritual gathering place for many people and considering its Native American history.

A Maysville native, Hamm’s interest in UFOs began as a child. His experience in logistics, intelligence and aerodynamics during his 28-year career in the U.S. Army, as well as amateur astronomy qualifies Hamm for his current position.

Another member of the Mutual UFO Network, Kenny Young of Florence said he was one of the first people on the scene after the design’s discovery, at least a week before it was reported by the media.

Although he is not a crop circle specialist, called a ciriologist, Young said there have been many reported sightings of UFOs in the area of the circle, including one in Hillsboro, Ohio just four days before the circle was sighted.

Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net.