The Puzzling Mystery of Yonaguni Pyramids
What would you do if you suddenly came into visual contact with the ruins of some lost ancient civilisation? That too underwater? Sounds romantic right? This is something that happened with underwater diver Kihachiro Aratake, Japanese underwater diver, who in, 1986, while on his normal underwater dive, came face to face with a mysterious giant pyramid-like structure! It seemed to be the ruins of some lost civilisation. He was just too overwhelmed to express his feelings at this momentous discovery. As news spread, scientists, archaeologists, historians and media in large started to take notice of this hitherto unknown underwater submerged structure. Let us discover the origins of this mysterious and gigantic underwater Pyramid structure. Yonaguni or Romanized version Yaeyama islands are located on the westernmost part of Japan
According to statistics, it is 108 kilometres off the coast of Taiwan and is situated between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper. Now there have been many conflicting theories about the origin of the Yonaguni Pyramids. According to some experts, they are natural formations existing for thousands of years. However, according to marine biologist and Dr Masaaki Kimura, who began to study this pyramid, it belongs to the Ice Age Period. Furthermore, he also believes that these Pyramids could be as old as 8,000 years old! In continuation of Dr Kimura’s theory, geology professor of Tokyo University, Teriaki Ishii, believes that pyramids could be older than the Egyptian pyramids! Moreover, the size of this structure is gargantuan! According to experts, this huge structure measures around 984 feet by 492 feet (300 metres by 150 metres)! More research and scientific expeditions started to take place in 1995 to understand in a better way about these gigantic monolithic structures.
As to its origins, Dr Masaaki, in his published survey in 1997, compared this to a lost city, especially, he termed it as “The Atlantis of the East”. Both Dr Masaaki and Professor Ishii are firm of the belief that these structures could not have been natural and rather they have evidence of human hand in its construction. To be more precise, Dr Masaaki has found evidence that this structure has carvings and temple-like structures in and around the whole complex, which makes his conviction more strong that this was some fabled ancient city that was lost under the sea due to a massive Tsunami! In furtherance of Dr Masaaki’s claims, seismology professor Toru Ouchi also believes that a massive Tsunami can be responsible for the destruction of Yonaguni, as per seismology records available. As I said earlier, there are many experts like Dr Robert Schoch, who believe that Yonaguni is a natural formation. So there are many conflicting opinions about the origin and creation of the Yonaguni Pyramids.
However, according to historical records, a legendary female leader, San’ai Isoba, is said to have ruled this island at around the end of the 15th century. According to legends, she was believed to possess supernatural powers that allowed her to protect her people from multiple foreign attacks. The earliest written record of this island comes from a Korean document in 1477. By the end of the 15th century, it was officially incorporated in the Ryuku Kingdom. Also, in 1879, this island was formally annexed by Imperial Japan. By 1948, according to records, it became an independent village and also an important American base, which continued till 1972.
According to another legend, Yonaguni is the fabled island of Mu, which was lost due to a gigantic tidal wave; just like the legendary Atlantis. That’s why experts like Dr Masaaki, Dr Ishii and others believe that it could have been the ‘Atlantis of the East! Another enduring legend about this place is that local fishermen believe that a local fisherman by the name of Urashimo Taro fell in love with the beautiful daughter of the Lord of the Seas, Otohime. She invited him to stay with him in her underwater castle and gave him a box and a warning, of not opening the box at any time! When Urashimo went back, he found that 300 years had passed and everyone near and dear to him had expired. Saddened by this he opened the box, notwithstanding Otohime’s warning and immediately aged by 300 years. He also saw a strange smoke emanate from the box which decayed his bones and the wind scattered his ashes all around. Today, this legend is believed and compared with the Yonaguni structure as it with the underwater castle of Otohime. Perhaps the most enduring legend which has been found in early written records is that island consisted of beautiful and powerful women who fiercely protected their people. It is something similar to the Amazons of Greece!
Well, whatever the legends may indicate, there is no one definitive record about the origin and creation of these mysterious and awesome Pyramids at Yonaguni. That’s why it makes it more mysterious and alluring to scientists and experts who visit the island year to try to study it more and understand its origins. Till that time it will remain a puzzling mystery to all of us!