10 Instances of Lithobolia That Had People Running for Cover

In the annals of the paranormal, there is an overload of records about red eyes floating in the dark, angry spectral figures that seem trapped in loops, and disembodied voices. But these ghostly stories pale in comparison to the far more physical—and often unsettling—phenomenon that has been reported for centuries. Derived from the Greek words for “stone” and “to throw,” lithobolia describes incidents in which rocks appear to fall from the sky or move through enclosed spaces with no clearly identifiable source.

In many recorded cases, witnesses reported stones behaving in unusual ways, including moving slowly through the air or changing direction mid-flight. While some observers have suggested hoaxes or natural explanations, other reports have proven more difficult to fully account for based on the available evidence.

So what exactly is lithobolia? Interpretations vary. Some attribute it to poltergeist activity, others to misidentified natural phenomena, and still others to human deception. Whatever the explanation, these cases have left witnesses startled—and often scrambling for cover.

Related: 10 Families Whose Houses Scared Them to Death

10 The Stone-Throwing Devil

In 1682, those found guilty of witchcraft on Great Island (today’s New Castle, New Hampshire) could face imprisonment or even death. This was a decade before the Salem witch trials, but the atmosphere of suspicion was already taking hold. These increasingly tense conditions were compounded by strange incidents that affected George and Alice Walton, who owned the Great Island tavern. Their home was reportedly attacked for several weeks during the summer by what witnesses described as an unseen force hurling stones at it.

George Walton suspected his elderly neighbor, Hannah Jones, with whom he had a dispute over marshland. Some locals even claimed to have heard her muttering threats. Not long after, what was described as a sustained barrage of stones struck the Walton home. Guests and residents reported stones entering rooms and striking both interior and exterior surfaces without any visible thrower.

The Secretary of the Province of New Hampshire, Richard Chamberlain, was staying at the tavern at the time and documented several aspects of the events. He described stones that were warm to the touch and that appeared to fall slowly or hover briefly before landing. Walton eventually brought his neighbor to court, after which the disturbances reportedly ceased. Even so, doubts remained, as Jones’s age and physical condition made her an unlikely source for such sustained activity.^[1]

9 Slow-Motion Stone Rain

In the early 20th century, Dutch engineer W.G. Grottendieck reported a peculiar experience while staying in a hut in the jungles of Sumatra. He was awakened by the sound of stones tapping against the floor and initially assumed someone was playing a prank.

When he investigated, however, he found no one outside or on the roof. Climbing into the rafters, he later described seeing stones appear below the roof structure rather than falling through it. According to his account, some stones moved unusually slowly, taking several seconds to fall a short distance. He also claimed that when he attempted to catch one, it appeared to change direction mid-air.

Grottendieck’s report has been cited in later collections of unusual phenomena. While it is difficult to verify independently, it remains one of the more frequently referenced accounts of stones behaving in ways that do not match typical physical expectations.^[2]

8 The Guyra Ghost

The town of Guyra in Australia became widely known in 1921 after a cottage owned by the Bowen family was reportedly subjected to repeated stone attacks, often focused on the daughter, Minnie. The disturbances began with loud knocking sounds, followed by stones striking the house and breaking windows.

Witnesses, including police officers and journalists, visited the property and reported seeing stones fall or enter the house without a visible source. At times, observers claimed to witness objects moving while multiple people were present. The situation became so intense that family members armed themselves, fearing for their safety.

Authorities attempted to control the situation by organizing a large perimeter around the house, with dozens of volunteers assisting. Despite these efforts, the disturbances reportedly continued. When Minnie was moved to another location, similar incidents were said to follow her, before eventually ceasing altogether. While various explanations have been proposed, the case remains one of Australia’s most well-known examples of reported lithobolia.^[3]

7 The Thornton Road Stakeout

In 1981, a family living in Birmingham, England, reported a prolonged series of stone impacts affecting their home and surrounding properties. Stones struck the roof, broke windows, and dented vehicles over a period of several years.

Police launched an extensive investigation, logging approximately 1,000 hours in an effort to identify a source. Surveillance methods included automatic cameras, image intensifiers, and physical observation posts positioned on rooftops. A continuous perimeter was also established around the affected area.

Despite these measures, officers reported seeing stones falling under conditions in which no thrower could be identified. Some accounts described stones appearing above rooftops before dropping downward. The investigation was eventually closed without any arrests or definitive explanation. The case remains one of the more unusual unsolved incidents involving reported stone-throwing phenomena.^[4]

6 Impossible Trajectories

The Pumphrey home incident in Ohio in 1928 is often cited as one of the more unusual lithobolia cases due to the reported movement patterns of the stones. Witnesses described rocks traveling along a hallway before abruptly changing direction, sometimes appearing to turn at sharp angles before entering adjacent rooms.

Observers also noted that stones did not always strike with expected force. Instead, some reported that impacts felt unusually light, as though the objects had been placed rather than thrown. These descriptions were later discussed by Charles Fort, who collected similar accounts of unusual physical events.

While such reports challenge conventional expectations of motion and trajectory, they are based on witness descriptions rather than controlled observation. As a result, explanations have ranged from misperception to deliberate trickery, though no single account has fully explained all aspects of the reported activity.^[5]

5 A Rain of Boulders

In October 1901, the village of Harrisonville, Ohio, found itself in the middle of a reported stone storm that began at the farm of Zach Dye and quickly spread. On October 13, a large rock crashed through a window at Dye’s house, though no one nearby could be identified as responsible.

Over the following days, stones and larger rocks were reported falling across parts of the village. Witnesses described impacts on homes and surrounding areas, while groups gathered in an attempt to locate anyone capable of throwing the objects. Despite these efforts, no clear source was identified at the time.

After several days, the activity reportedly ceased as abruptly as it had begun. Various explanations have been proposed, including human involvement, environmental factors, and even misidentified natural debris. However, based on the available accounts, no single explanation was universally accepted, and the incident remains one of the more unusual historical reports associated with lithobolia.^[6]

4 Flying Stones

In 2024, a mother named Jackie, living in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), reported a series of unusual events centered around her 13-year-old son, Jama. According to accounts, the boy experienced episodes in which he appeared to enter trance-like states or display unusual strength. Around the same time, stones were reported flying through the house while lights flickered or switched on and off.

Additional disturbances were also described, including household objects being overturned and written messages appearing inside the home. Witnesses reported hearing a voice that identified itself and made threatening statements toward the boy. Several family members claimed to have observed the stone activity and other phenomena firsthand.

Local explanations included spiritual or ancestral interpretations, while others suggested psychological or environmental factors. As with many similar cases, no definitive conclusion was established based on the available reports. The incident illustrates how lithobolia-like events are sometimes reported alongside other unexplained occurrences.^[7]

3 The Stone-Throwing Poltergeist of Phoenix

In 1898, Sacramento Verdugo and his family moved into a house near Phoenix Park in Arizona, where they soon reported a series of unusual disturbances. According to accounts, Verdugo’s wife, Angela, began experiencing impacts from small stones that appeared without any visible source.

As time passed, the stones reportedly increased in size, and the frequency of the incidents grew. Initially, the claims were met with skepticism, but witnesses later reported observing stones in motion under circumstances that made it difficult to identify a thrower. The events caused considerable distress for the family, with Angela reportedly becoming fearful of moving about the house.

An investigation was conducted, but no clear culprit was identified. The family relocated, yet similar incidents were said to follow them. Witnesses at the new location claimed to see stones traveling from above or from the roof area, though no structural damage was found to indicate an entry point.

Additional reported phenomena included minor fires associated with impacts, further complicating attempts to determine a cause. While explanations such as trickery or environmental factors have been suggested, the case remains one of the more detailed historical reports involving alleged lithobolia.^[8]

2 The Bhutan Rock Shower

In 2019, Bhagilal Ghalley and his grandson Sunil reported a series of events in which stones appeared to strike their hut and surrounding area in Bhutan. According to their account, the activity began during the night and continued intermittently over several days.

When family members returned to the location, they reported that stones again appeared to fall or move through the air, at times striking individuals as they attempted to leave the area. The incidents were said to follow the family to different locations, contributing to ongoing concern.

Local interpretations included spiritual explanations, with a shaman suggesting that the disturbances were connected to unresolved ancestral matters. Rituals were performed in response, after which the activity reportedly diminished over time.

While such explanations reflect cultural beliefs, other possibilities—including human involvement or environmental factors—have also been considered. As with similar cases, no single explanation was confirmed based on available reports.^[9]

1 The Humpty Doo Incident

In 1997, two couples moved into a home in Humpty Doo in Australia’s Northern Territory and soon reported a series of unusual disturbances. According to their accounts, objects including knives, glass, and small stones began moving through the air inside the house.

Witnesses described gravel, seashells, and stones appearing to fall from the ceiling, along with other objects shifting or breaking without a visible cause. At one point, Scrabble tiles reportedly arranged themselves to form words, adding to the sense of unease among the occupants.

The residents sought assistance from a local priest, who visited the house multiple times. However, objects brought into the home were reportedly damaged during subsequent disturbances. The situation escalated to the point where the landlord pursued eviction due to the property damage.

The case eventually reached court, where a judge ruled in favor of the tenants, reportedly accepting that the damage had not been caused deliberately by the occupants. While some later interpretations have suggested the possibility of an elaborate hoax, the events remain one of the more widely discussed modern cases involving reported lithobolia-like activity.^[10]