Located just 82 feet below sea level off the north east coast of Taiwan, the Yonaguni monument continues to divide over the true cause of its origins nearly 40 years after its discovery.
It was initially discovered in 1986 by Kihachiro Aratake during a dive to observe sharks. The structure has now been placed under the umbrella of pseudoarchaeology, a method of archaeology that outlines certain factors of the topic whilst ignoring the science-based side of the field. The ‘pyramid’ is believed by many to be one of the world’s oldest, with the stone used in its apparent construction being dated to over 10,000 years old. This also puts the monument even further back in history than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.
The structure itself stands nearly 90 feet tall. If man-made as many maintain, it would be a marvel in ancient engineering, rewriting everything we know about ancient construction techniques.
However, there are a number of people who claim it to be an entirely natural formation, rather than an ancient shrine to the gods.
Speaking recently on the Joe Rogan podcast, author and lost civilisations expert Graham Hancock debated with archaeologist Flint Dibble over photographs of the monument, where both parties held opposing opinions over the site’s man-made or natural backstory.
Taking the view that it was formed by the Earth, Dibble said: “I’ve seen a lot of crazy natural stuff and I see nothing here that to me reminds me of human architecture.”
Hancock responded: “To me, Flint, it’s stunning that you see it as a totally natural thing, but I guess we’ve just got very different eyes.”
Hancock added that there is clear visual evidence for the pyramid’s man-made background, where photographs of the area clearly depict human-crafted arches, megaliths, steps, terraces, and what seems to be a carved rock face
This structure is just one of many to make scientists question the true level of technological advancement of these ancient civilisations.
Gunung Padang, re-discovered by Dutch explorers in 1890, may predate Yonaguni monument by over 5,000 years. It is said to be the world’s oldest pyramid, submerged within a hill of lava rock.