A rural Georgia monument that some conservative Christians have deemed diabolical and that others have dubbed "America's Stonehenge" was bombed just before sunrise on Wednesday, reducing one of its four granite panels to rubble.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that an explosive device caused damage to the Georgia Guidestones monument near Elberton. The Elbert county emergency management organization stated that video cameras captured the explosion shortly after 4:00 a.m. Images and overhead footage depict the damaged panel on the ground.

Chris Kubas, executive vice president of the Elbert Granite Association, stated that video cameras connected to the county's emergency dispatch center were installed in response to previous acts of vandalism.

Built-in 1980 from local granite, the mysterious roadside installation was commissioned by an unknown person or group using the alias RC. Christian.

Katie McCarthy, who analyzes conspiracy theories for the Anti-Defamation League, stated, "This has given the Guidestones a sort of shroud of mystery because the identities and intentions of the individuals who commissioned them are unknown." The guidestones' true purpose has been the subject of much debate and conspiracy theories.

The 16-foot-tall (5-meter-tall) panels feature a 10-part statement in eight languages that offer advice on living in an "age of reason." One section recommends keeping the world's population at or below 500 million, while another suggests "guiding reproduction wisely – enhancing fitness and diversity."

Additionally, it functions as a sundial and astronomical calendar. However, the panels' references to eugenics, population control, and global government have made them a target for far-right conspiracists.

Kubas stated that the monument's fame skyrocketed with the advent of the Internet until it became a roadside tourist attraction with thousands of annual visitors.

During the 24 May gubernatorial primary in Georgia, third-place Republican candidate Kandiss Taylor asserted that the Guidestones are demonic and made dismantling them part of her plan. In late May, comedian John Oliver featured the Guidestones and Taylor in a sketch. McCarthy stated that right-wing figures, such as Alex Jones, have discussed them in prior years but that Taylor "kind of brought them back into the public eye."

"God is God in His own right, and he can do ANYTHING He desires," Taylor stated Wednesday on social media. This involves demolishing Satanic Guidestones.

McCarthy explained that the memorial had been defaced in the past, particularly in 2008 and 2014. She stated that the bombing illustrates how conspiracy theories "has and can have real-world consequences."

"We've seen this with QAnon and multiple other conspiracy theories," McCarthy said. "These ideas can lead people to attempt to take action to support their beliefs." They can attempt to target the individuals and institutions at the heart of these false ideas.

Kubas and many others see the stones as a guide for reconstructing society after the world's end.

Kubas stated, "It is up to your own interpretation as to how you wish to view them."

Near the South Carolina state line, the location is about 7 miles (11km) north of Elberton and about 90 miles (145km) east of Atlanta. According to Kubas, granite quarrying is the leading local industry, employing over 2,000 people in the region.

Elbert county sheriff's deputies, Elberton police, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are among the organizations investigating the incident. Technicians from the bomb squad were dispatched to the scene to search for evidence, and a nearby state highway was stopped for a period.

There were no suspects identified.

Kubas stated that the group has assisted in removing prior acts of vandalism and will likely attempt to stabilize the damage. According to him, local government and community leaders may have to determine who pays for the repair.

"If you didn't like it, you didn't have to see or read it," Kubas stated. Unfortunately, someone decided they did not want it to be read.