A mysterious monolith discovered near Gass Peak by Las Vegas police over the weekend has sparked curiosity and confusion, adding to the global phenomenon of unexplained metal structures appearing since 2020.

The appearance of the monolith near Las Vegas adds to a bizarre trend of similar structures being found worldwide since 2020, including in remote areas of Utah, California, and across Europe. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department found this latest monolith during a weekend search and rescue operation, leaving them puzzled and joining the list of officials worldwide asking how these objects are being placed. While some artists and groups have claimed responsibility for various installations, the true origins of many remain a mystery, fueling ongoing intrigue and speculation.

The Las Vegas monolith stands at roughly 10 feet tall and appears to be made of stainless steel, [similar to other structures found](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) in Utah’s Red Rock Desert and on a [hillside in Atascadero, California](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert). These polished metal objects have a striking resemblance to the monolith from the 1968 film '2001: A Space Odyssey', leading many to speculate about their meaning and origin.

Lieutenant Kane Jamison of the [Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) expressed his surprise upon discovering the monolith, stating, '[We were conducting a routine search and rescue mission](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) when we came across this very peculiar object standing tall in the middle of nowhere. It almost appeared out of thin air.'

Since the [first monolith was discovered in Utah](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) [in November 2020](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), [numerous similar structures have been reported globally](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert). Some have turned out to be art installations, while others have vanished as mysteriously as they appeared. Various explanations have been proposed, ranging from alien activity to elaborate artistic expressions.

In Europe, monoliths have surfaced [in locations such as Romania](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), the [Isle of Wight in the UK](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), and the Netherlands. Each finding tends to follow a pattern: the mysterious object appears in a secluded spot, attracts media attention and public curiosity, and then either remains or inexplicably disappears.

Mike Harvey, [an artist from New Mexico](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), has taken responsibility for some of the installations, declaring that the monoliths are part of a larger art project intended to provoke wonder and curiosity. However, many other monoliths have no known creator, adding to the enigma.

'[The monoliths have become a symbol of 2020's unpredictable](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) and often surreal events,' said Dr. Karen Walters, a professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 'They simultaneously represent human creativity and the deep-seated desire for mystery and the unexplained, especially in challenging times.'

As [the monolith phenomenon continues](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), authorities and the public remain on high alert for new appearances. Reports suggest that several groups are now [actively searching for these objects](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert), hoping to decode their purpose or catch a glimpse of how they are being placed.

While the monoliths have yet to offer definitive answers, they have undoubtedly captured the world's imagination. Whether as art, prank, or something more extraterrestrial, their presence [in the Las Vegas desert](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) [and elsewhere](https://www.foxnews.com/us/mysterious-las-vegas-monolith-appears-desert) continues to provoke worldwide intrigue and speculation.