The Hexham Heads (1971): Exploring Mysterious Paranormal Incident

The Hexham Heads are two strange, carved stone heads that became the center of one of the most bizarre paranormal cases in the UK. Discovered in 1971 by two young boys in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, these mysterious artifacts have been linked to strange happenings, including ghostly appearances and unexplainable disturbances. Their origin remains a mystery, and the events surrounding the Hexham Heads continue to intrigue paranormal enthusiasts.

Location of the Paranormal Activity: Hexham, Northumberland

Hexham is a small market town in Northumberland, England. The town is known for its rich history, with Roman and medieval remains nearby, including Hadrian’s Wall. However, in 1971, Hexham gained a new reputation when two small stone heads were discovered by children digging in their garden. What started as an innocent discovery quickly turned into a case of paranormal activity, bringing the town unexpected attention.

The stone heads were found in the garden of a house on Rede Avenue in Hexham, which is a quiet residential street. The heads themselves were about the size of a tennis ball and appeared to be crudely carved. One head looked male with a rough face, while the other looked female. The heads were made of stone, but their exact material and age were uncertain.

The Paranormal Case: The Discovery of the Hexham Heads

The Hexham Heads story began when two brothers, Colin and Leslie Robson, were playing in their garden and uncovered the stone heads while digging in the dirt. The boys took the heads inside, and soon afterward, strange things began to happen in the Robson household.

1. The family reported that the heads seemed to move on their own, shifting position when no one was around.
2. Objects in the house would mysteriously fall or move by themselves.
3. Cold spots were felt in certain rooms, and the family began to feel uneasy.

These events were unusual but could have been dismissed as coincidences or imagination. However, things took a more terrifying turn when the family reported seeing a ghostly figure of a half-man, half-beast creature wandering the house. The creature was described as having the head of a wolf or a goat but walked on two legs like a man. This sighting terrified the family, and they became convinced that the Hexham Heads were somehow connected to these supernatural occurrences.

Experiences of People with the Hexham Heads

As the story of the Hexham Heads spread, more people became involved in the mystery.

Dr. Anne Ross’ Ghostly Experience

One of the most notable figures was Dr. Anne Ross, a Celtic scholar who specialized in ancient artifacts. Dr. Ross took the heads into her own home to study them, and soon after, she too began experiencing strange and frightening events.

Like the Robson family, Dr. Ross reported seeing a creature in her home. She described it as a werewolf-like figure, standing upright and walking on two legs. This creature was said to appear at night, moving through her house in a menacing way. Dr. Ross was deeply shaken by these experiences and became convinced that the heads were cursed or possessed by some supernatural force.

Similar Incidences

Other people who came into contact with the heads also reported feelings of unease, strange noises, and the movement of objects. It seemed that wherever the Hexham Heads went, strange events followed. Even those who simply handled the heads briefly would later report feeling uneasy or having nightmares.

What the Locals Say?

The people of Hexham have their own theories about the heads:

1. Some believe that the heads were ancient Celtic artifacts, possibly connected to old pagan rituals. Northumberland, with its rich history of Roman and Celtic settlements, could have been home to these kinds of relics. The idea that the heads were used in pagan worship or rituals involving animal spirits is a common local belief.
2. Others in the town were more skeptical, dismissing the heads as a simple prank or misunderstanding. Some thought that the heads were nothing more than modern creations, perhaps made by a local artist and left in the garden by accident. However, the unexplained events experienced by those who owned or studied the heads were difficult to ignore.

How Did the Place Become Haunted?

The haunting of the Hexham Heads seems to be tied to their discovery and the strange events that followed. The heads were likely buried for many years, and their unearthing may have triggered some kind of supernatural force.

Many people believe that the heads were connected to ancient rituals or ceremonies and that disturbing them awakened a dormant spirit or curse.

1. Shapeshifters & Animal Spirits

The creature sightings, especially the werewolf-like figure, led some to believe that the heads were linked to a form of shapeshifting or animal spirit worship. Ancient Celtic traditions often involved animal deities and the belief that certain animals held spiritual power. This theory suggests that the Hexham Heads were once part of these practices and that they carried the spirit of an animal or god.

2. A Connection To Mystical Places

The heads have also been associated with ley lines, which are invisible lines of energy that some people believe connect sacred or mystical places. It is thought that the heads may have been placed at a location with strong energy, and when they were moved, this energy was disturbed, causing the paranormal activity.

Scientific Explanations for the Hexham Heads

While the paranormal explanations are fascinating, there have also been attempts to explain the Hexham Heads through more scientific means.

1. Some experts believe that the strange events could have been caused by psychological factors, such as suggestion or mass hysteria. When people hear about paranormal activity, they may become more sensitive to ordinary events, interpreting them as supernatural.
2. The sightings of the werewolf-like creature, for example, could be explained as a result of sleep paralysis, a condition in which people are unable to move while waking up and often experience hallucinations. Sleep paralysis is commonly linked to visions of strange figures, and it may have played a role in some of the experiences connected to the Hexham Heads.
3. Another scientific explanation is that the heads themselves are not ancient at all. Some believe that the heads were modern creations, possibly made by a local artist or simply by the children who found them.
   In fact, a man named Desmond Craigie later came forward, claiming that he had made the heads in the 1950s as toys for his children. If true, this would mean that the Hexham Heads had no ancient or mystical origin at all.

Has the Mystery Been Solved?

Despite these explanations, the mystery of the Hexham Heads remains unsolved. While Craigie’s claim that he made the heads seems plausible, it does not account for the strange events experienced by the Robson family, Dr. Ross, and others. The creature sightings, in particular, remain unexplained and continue to fuel speculation that the Hexham Heads were more than just simple stone carvings.

Today, the Hexham Heads have disappeared from public view. After passing through several hands, their current whereabouts are unknown. Some believe that the heads were destroyed, while others think that they may still be in the possession of a private collector. Without the heads themselves, it is difficult to say whether they were truly paranormal objects or just ordinary stones caught up in a strange series of coincidences.

Conclusion

The Hexham Heads continue to fascinate those interested in paranormal phenomena. Whether they were ancient relics with supernatural powers or simply modern creations surrounded by a series of strange events, the heads have left a lasting mark on the town of Hexham. The mystery of the Hexham Heads may never be fully solved, but their story remains one of the most intriguing cases in the world of the paranormal.