Marree Man

Lore & Background

The Marree Man was discovered fortuitously by charter pilot Trec Smith during an overflight on 26 June 1998. The figure lies on a plateau at Finniss Springs, just outside the Woomera Prohibited Area. Anonymous faxes sent to media in July 1998 referred to it as 'Stuart's Giant,' referencing explorer John McDouall Stuart. The lines outlining the figure were 20–30 cm deep and up to 35 m wide at discovery. By December 1998, it was noted that the outline matched, in reverse, the Artemision Bronze statue of Zeus raised from the Aegean Sea in 1926 or 1928.

Reader's Guide

The Marree Man is significant as one of the world's largest geoglyphs, created in a remote area with precision that suggests use of GPS technology, then in its infancy. Its discovery captivated Australians due to its scale and the enduring mystery of its origin. The geoglyph sparked legal and cultural reactions: native title claimants called for its erasure, while the state government closed the site. The anonymous press releases and artifacts (a jar, a plaque) added layers of intrigue, with hints of American involvement possibly being red herrings. The figure's gradual erosion and later restoration in 2016 highlight its fragility and the ongoing interest in preserving it. The mystery remains unsolved, with a A$5,000 reward offered in 2018 for information.

Did You Know?

• The Marree Man was created between 27 May and 12 June 1998, based on satellite imagery.
• The figure's outline matches, in reverse, the Artemision Bronze statue of Zeus.
• A plaque buried near the nose bore an American flag and words from Hedley H. Finlayson's 1946 book The Red Centre.
• In August 2016, local businesses redefined the geoglyph using a commercial grader and GPS.