The Georgia Guidestones is a large granite monument in Elbert County, Georgia. A message comprising ten guides is inscribed on the structure in eight modern languages, and a shorter message is inscribed at the top of the structure in four ancient language scripts: Babylonian, Classical Greek, Sanskrit, and Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The monument is exactly 18 ft. tall and made from six granite slabs weighing more than 240,000 pounds in all. One slab stands in the center, with four arranged around it. A capstone lies on top of the five slabs, which are astronomically aligned. An additional stone tablet, which is set in the ground a short distance to the west of the structure, provides some notes on the history and purpose of the Guidestones. Differet slits cut into the stone can be used as a calendar, clock, and compass.
In June 1979, an unknown person or persons under the pseudonym R.C. Christian hired a local granite finishing company to build the structure. One popular hypothesis is that the patron's pseudonym may be a tribute to the legendary 17th-century founder of Rosicrucianism, Christian Rosenkreuz.
A message consisting of a set of ten guidelines or principles is engraved on the Georgia Guidestones in eight different languages, one language on each face of the four large upright stones. Moving clockwise around the structure from due north, these languages are: English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.
1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely— improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion - faith - tradition - and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth - beauty - love - seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the earth - Leave room for nature.
A few feet to the west of the artifact, this tablet identifies the structure and the languages used on it, lists various facts about the size, weight, and astronomical features of the stones, the date it was installed, and the sponsors of the project.
The Georgia Guidestones—Center cluster erected March 22, 1980
“Let these be guidestones to an Age of Reason”
Around the edges of the square are written the names of four ancient languages, one per edge. Starting from the top and proceeding clockwise, they are: Babylonian, Classical Greek, Sanskrit and Ancient Egyptian (in hieroglyphics)
On the left side of the tablet is the following column of text:
Astronomic Features
1. channel through stone indicates celestial pole.
2. horizontal slot indicates annual travel of sun.
3. sunbeam through capstone marks noontime throughout the year
Author: R.C. Christian (a pseudonym)
Sponsors: A small group of Americans who seek the Age of Reason
Time Capsule : Placed six feet below this spot. To be opened on: (no dates are engraved)
The four outer stones are oriented to mark the limits of the 18.6 year lunar declination cycle. The center column features a hole through which the North Star can be seen regardless of time, as well as a slot that is aligned with the Sun's solstices and equinoxes. A 7/8" aperture in the capstone allows a ray of sun to pass through at noon each day, shining a beam on the center stone indicating the day of the year.