The scientific persuit of the cause of pallets in fields has been a noble endeavor. I'm afraid we've been focusing on the wrong area of study, however. It's not science but, HISTORY that suggest that these pallets might be lost emigrants from the Palatine area of Germany. They come to New Jersey, in the warmer months, huddle together in fields until it gets cold, then make their way back to the fatherland. A new shipload of these tempest tossed masses finds it's way to the Jersey Shore every year.