In the latest twist to a mysterious story, a large metal statue has appeared on the Romanian hillside – days after a similar one disappeared from a desert in Utah.
The silver monolith was found in Utah on 18 November before vanishing on 27 November.
Now, a similar object has been found on the on Batca Doamnei Hill in northern Romania, prompting the local mayor of Piatra Neamt to write a statement.
Andrei Carabelea wrote on Facebook: "There is no reason to panic for those who think there is still life in the universe.
"My guess is that some alien, cheeky and terrible teenagers left home with their parents' UFO and started planting metal monoliths around the world. First in Utah and then at Piatra Neamt. I am honoured that they chose our city.
“Beyond the conspiracy theories that can be tempting, I'd like to see this randomness as further proof that our city is special. For the earthlings and (maybe) not only.”
The mayor said he’d have appreciated an application for a building permit before the structure was erected, but that he hoped the monolith’s appearance would attract more tourists.
The metal structure discovered in Romania is four-metres tall and covered in looping markings. It was found near the Petrodava Dacian Fortress, a local archaeological landmark.
In Utah, the monolith had been found by state officials who using a helicopter to count sheep earlier in the month.
People have speculated about whether the two could be linked in some way – whether by supernatural elements or just by pranksters.
The helicopter pilot, Bret Hutchings, told local news channel KSLTV: “I’m assuming it’s some new wave artist or something or, you know, somebody that was a big 2001: A Space Odyssey fan.” He said the structure appeared to be firmly planted in the ground.
The statue is reminiscent of a classic scene from Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, in which a group of monkeys encounter a giant monolith.
