Yin Yang crop circle
© UnknownWhat on earth? Graceful patterns sculpted into crops continue to fascinate those who seek them out
Is this an amazing work of art, or of something from science-fiction?

The neat, intricate pattern does pose the question - how on earth was it made?

The huge crop circle sculpted in a sea of barley seems to be based on the Yin and Yang theme, and appeared near an ancient British burial mound beneath Windmill Hill near Devizes, Wiltshire on 25 May.

The ancient area of Wiltshire close to Silbury Hill, Windmill Hill and the Sanctuary is a hot spot for crop circles.

Wiltshire crop circle 2004
© UnknownAnother Wiltshire crop circle (2004).
At around 350ft in length, it is hard to explain its creation - indeed, the mystery of how crop circles are made has never been solved.

Cynics have claimed the patterns are the work of computer scientists using teams of volunteers - but crop circle enthusiasts argue there are not enough hours of darkness in summer to allow them to be completed by humans.

Wiltshire is a hot spot for these field-based phenomenons - its green and golden fields have spawned an array of patterns in the past that have fascinated those who seek them out.

Enthusiasts and experienced crop pattern hunters have often spotted formations appearing close to these sacred sites.

Wiltshire crop circle 2004
© Daily MailAnother Wiltshire crop circle (2004).
The crop circle season - from April to harvesting in September - is believed to be worth millions of pounds to the local economy.

This example is an elaborate aul formation consisting of a centre circle with two large and two small arcs extended and connected by circles of decreasing size.

Windmill Hill is thought be date back to the Early Neolithic period some 5,000 years ago, constructed as a causeway enclosure, and it is thought the camp housed a large farming community during a relatively peaceful and prosperous time before the Romans invaded Britain - evidence of their presence is provided by a villa on the western slopes of the mound.