Underwater city in Japan. Yonaguni is an underwater city. Description of underwater pyramids

In the eighties of the last century, underwater objects were discovered near the coast of Yonaguni Island in Japan. rock formations, called "Pyramids of Yonaguni".

This island is part of the Ryukyu Archipelago and is the westernmost of its islands.

There is still debate about the origin of these formations. Some argue that this is the work of nature, others argue that the pyramids were partially or completely made by man.

Discovery of the Yonaguni Pyramids

The coastal waters of the island are popular place for lovers of scuba diving, because... Huge hammerhead sharks often appear here.

In 1986 director tourist center Yonaguni was looking for suitable places underwater to set up observation posts for sharks. During the search, he noticed several unusual formations located at a depth of five meters and having a very strong resemblance to architectural buildings.

Outwardly, they resembled pyramids with sides in the form of steps, made of rectangular stone blocks.

The central formation had five steps and reached a height of over 40 meters, with side lengths of 150 and 180 meters.
Near it were smaller pyramid-shaped forms, 10 meters high and 2 meters long.

At first, the director assessed these pyramids as unusual natural objects, capable of attracting the attention of tourists, but later decided to inform specialists about them.

Research

Scientific examination of underwater formations began only in 1997, after funds became available to organize the expedition. The sponsor was a Japanese businessman.

The expedition was led by Graham Hancock, a famous journalist and writer.

The scientific side was led by Boston geologist and geographer Robert M. Schoch.

The famous writer John B. West, several experienced scuba divers, and a group from the Discovery Channel who filmed a film about the expedition also took part in the research.

Study of the Yonaguni phenomenon by Robert Schoch

As a result of the research, Professor Schoch stated that these formations are natural in origin and not created by man.

As evidence, it was stated that longitudinal cracks often form in the layered sandstone of which the monolith is composed, which leads to the appearance of various regular shapes - smooth surfaces and edges, sharp corners, etc.

The appearance of additional cracks in the rock could have been facilitated by tremors, which are not uncommon in this area. These cracks, directed at different angles to each other, led to the formation of such amazing stone shapes as steps, diamonds, and triangles.

But at the same time, Schoch clarified that perhaps the person was engaged in additional processing of these surfaces when the monument was still part of a quarry or quarry.

The expedition's divers found several unusual objects near the pyramids, including stones with signs carved on them, tools in the form of scrapers, and a bas-relief depicting a wild bull.

Masaaki Kimura

The second expedition was organized by geologist and marine archaeologist Professor Masaaki Kimura from the University of the Ryukyu.

Based on the results of his research, Kimura gave the opposite explanation for the appearance of the monument; he believed that this formation was completely artificial.

After this, the Yonaguni pyramids became a popular topic in the media and the object of increased attention from divers.

The famous French diver Jacques Mayol made several dives here, he later wrote a book about it

Age of the pyramids

The age of the monument was clarified after studying the isotopic composition of stalactites in a nearby underwater cave. The number of beryllium isotopes indicates that the stalactites were formed no earlier than ten thousand years ago. This gives the approximate time for the land and the monument itself to submerge under water.

Currently, the age of the underwater pyramids is estimated at between ten and sixteen thousand years.

The Yonaguni underwater complex is located in the East China Sea in Pacific Ocean and is one of the most ancient in history and archeology. According to the roughest estimates of scientists, this complex was located on land, above the surface of the water, at least 10,000 years ago. After all, then, during the Ice Age, the water level in the World Ocean was 40 m lower. Gradually he sank into the ocean and became underwater. This complex off the coast of Yonaguni, almost below the surface of the waves, was accidentally discovered by diving instructor Kihachiro Aratake in the spring of 1985. It was a huge stone monument consisting of unusual structures that stretched out to the limits of sight.

The edge of the Yonaguni Monument drops vertically down to the very bottom at 27 meters, thereby forming a high platform. This platform gives the ancient complex the appearance of a separate independent structure. The architecture of the city resembles the stepped Inca pyramids. If the city was created for housing, then it is surprising that the terraces running down for some reason fall into the abyss. They seem to go nowhere...

Geology professor Masaaki Kimura of the University of Ryukyus Okinawa has been studying this huge underwater city, as if made by the hands of giants, in detail for 15 years. The city is surrounded by a road and a stone fence consisting of huge pieces of rock. M. Kimura discovered that part of the fence surrounding the monument was made of limestone, which is not found in this region. The professor claims that someone in prehistoric times transported limestone specifically for construction.

M. Kimura also discovered many details on the rocks that exclude the model of the natural formation of the object. These include traces of welding, symmetrical and angular channels, round holes 2 m deep, traces of carvings, sculptural images, wide flat platforms, stones covered with patterns of rectangles and rhombuses, intricate terraces running down large steps. A model of this ancient structure has been made.

Decoding.

The Yonaguni monument, like Machu Picchu, was created at a high altitude. This made it possible to demonstrate dematerialization. The Yonaguni complex is a separate structure. He stands on a platform whose edges drop vertically downwards. Thus, the edge of the Yonaguni monument breaks vertically down to the very bottom at 27 m, thereby forming a high platform. Machu Picchu is also surrounded by cliffs reaching 700 m or more.

In the inscriptions found, the researchers discovered symbols of the VC consciousness - cells of united consciousness with an expanded brain area and a crescent.

Rosetta Stone of Okinawa

Thus, the main drawing, considered a symbol of Yonaguni, talks about the individual cell, the expansion of the brain area due to the formation of a unified consciousness and the dematerialization caused by this process.

The dark arrow in the photo shows the expansion caused by the transition of consciousness from the individual mode to the united one. This process is shown from top to bottom after the line. Five vertical lines indicate the fifth level of consciousness - unified.

Above the yellow line, the same process of formation of a united consciousness is revealed more briefly. Two vertical parallel lines show the initial size of the brain area of ​​an individual cell. After this, a large circle is depicted, depicting the expanded brain region of the cell of the united consciousness of civilization. The acute angular top depicts a pointed oval of dematerialization.

There are many mysteries at the bottom of the ocean, but this one is truly exciting.

Everyone knows about the many pyramids that are found in different corners planets. However, few people know about Japanese pyramids on Yonaguni island. What are these structures and where did they come from?

First of all, Yonaguni is located near Taiwan. The pyramids were first discovered in 1986 by Japanese diver Aratake. Near the shore under the water he saw giant monument made of stone. Its platforms were painted with rectangles and diamonds and smoothly turned into steps. The edge of this monument goes 27 m deep, forming one of the walls of the passage along the monument.

The geometric correctness of the forms haunted the scuba diver, because these could not be natural formations. Aratake announced the discovery to scientists. However, after analyzing marine vegetation, they decided that these plates are 10 thousand years old and that they were created by nature. Masaaki Kimura, a professor at the University of the Ryukyu, was also skeptical about the find. But after he dived into the water several times and drew up a map of the city, he decided that this could not be considered a creation of nature. He noted that the stones could have been cut from quarries. The faces of people or the outlines of animals were painted on the rocks.

Kimura also discovered a stone that looked like a human face, like the moai on Easter Island. Other scientists discovered something similar to writing on the rock.

Kimura's map showed a palace resembling an arch, several temples, and what looked like a stadium. One of the buildings resembles a stepped pyramid. Its height is 28 m. In the city itself there are roads and canals, and around it there are something similar to fortress walls.

But no traces of human habitation, household items, or wooden buildings were found in this territory. However, there is an explanation for this: wood and clay objects would not have survived for so many years.

Kimura suggested that this city was destroyed by an earthquake: Ryukyu has had devastating tsunamis in history. This element could easily wash away the ancient culture.

The structure impressed Professor Robert Schoch, who considered it the work of nature. But he met with Kimura, and he provided him with evidence of non-natural origin. For example, a face with sharp edges, steps, and a straight passage are clearly visible in the photographs. If this was caused by natural reasons, then the forms would be the same. But they are different. On this rock there is a different landscape, which was certainly created by nature. You can immediately notice the difference from the first processed piece of rock.

Having put all the facts together, the researchers came to a compromise. The monument belongs to terraforming, that is, nature first created it, and then man contributed to this monument.

Pyramids of Yonaguni photo

It was found in 1985 in the Pacific Ocean. It was the sunken underwater city of Yonaguni Island, presumably caused by the constant tsunamis that Japan experiences. There is also a hypothesis about the extraterrestrial origin of the underwater ruins.

The find was discovered by a scuba diver who accidentally dived to a six-meter depth near the archipelago. As it turned out later, the giant stone blocks with smooth rectangular edges he found were nothing more than the underwater city of Yonaguni; Japan immediately published information in newspapers about the great discovery - the pyramids located on the ocean floor.

The huge ruins were located on an area of ​​45,000 square meters. m. The height of the largest pyramid-shaped building was 25 m. Scientists are still arguing about the origin unusual city: some believe that the pyramids have natural origin, others believe that the underwater structures were once inhabited by an ancient civilization that sank more than 5,000 years ago. Professor Kimura spent several years creating an accurate picture of the flood until he found similarities with archaeological artifacts found on land. He also explained that the strong current in the place where the Yonaguni pyramids are located prevented the structures from becoming overgrown with marine organisms and helped preserve the original appearance of the buildings.

Pyramids of Yonaguni: what do they look like?

Anyone can see the underwater beauty. The city welcomes its guests with a special design - arched gates located between huge boulders.

Next is a huge monument, decorated with triangular structures, in front of which one can see a terrace with hollowed-out steps. Around them you can see a road cleared of stones and boulders. Nature is unable to create such an unusual and at the same time strict architecture. What kind of great building this is, we have not yet been able to finally find out.

Japanese pyramids

Underwater structures are located at a depth of 30 meters. They are a kind of fence in the form of pyramids with sharp, even edges. On their walls one can see round holes 1.5 - 2 m deep, traces of carving and welding work. Some of the pyramids are made of rock, others of limestone. The process of constructing the giants remains a mystery, as does the origin of the pyramids in Egypt.

Scientists claim that limestone is a rock not found in these places, therefore the material was brought from another place. This fact gives every right to assert that the monument and pyramids were created by man.

Evidence of the man-made origin of buildings

Mysterious underwater structures are strikingly reminiscent of stairs, houses, roads, pools and temples. Numerous research expeditions have found much evidence that the underwater city of Yonaguni was built by human hands:

1. At a depth of 15 m, Professor Kimura discovered Tostone sculpture with a headdress and long arms like the Egyptian Sphinx. The scientist suggested that the figure depicts the king of Okinawa.
2. Engraved hieroglyphs were found on the rocks of the platform, images of animals and tables with symbols . Presumably, these are ancient writings that have not yet been deciphered.
3. Many sunken structures are very similar to historical buildings found on land . They have the same semicircular terraces and vaults, reminiscent of the entrance to Nakagusuku Castle, which belonged to the ancient emperor in Okinawa.
4. Stone roads have clear, even branches , which can be turned out with water.

Scientists' assumptions about the appearance of underwater structures

The debate about the appearance of the city is still not over. There are the following opinions about its origin:

1. Japanese scientist Kimura believes that the age of the city is 5000 years . As a result of a powerful earthquake and tsunami that occurred approximately 2,000 years ago, the buildings were flooded with water. Indeed, the settlement is located in a place of increased seismic activity.
2. Boston professor Robert Schoch suggested that the city appeared naturally about 10,000 years ago . Titanic activity caused the cracking of huge blocks of sandstone. This explains the smooth edges of the slabs. The holes in them are nothing more than natural erosion.
3. Some scientists believe that the remains of the city belong to ancient civilization , who inhabited these regions not thousands, but millions of years ago . Didn't exist then Japanese islands, and the sunken city is part of the mainland. However, at this time, technology had not yet been developed by people to such an extent that they could build structures from stone.

After a meeting between two scientists, another assumption emerged: the monument and pyramids were formed naturally, and were subsequently processed by human hands. As proof, Kimura showed the Boston professor the smooth edges of the steps and perfectly processed trenches around the pyramids, since at the first inspection Schoch simply did not pay attention to them.

Both versions have not yet been 100% confirmed, and the Japanese authorities are in no hurry to include the underwater city in the list of historical heritage sites.

Yonaguni today

Yonaguni Island is located 100 km from Taiwan. This is a small island with an area of ​​30 square meters. km. with a population of about 2000 people. It can only be reached by air. The island has been favorite place for divers. The purest water, the bright colors on the pedestals and the mystery found at the bottom attract scuba diving enthusiasts from all over the world, despite the strong currents in this part of the ocean.

XX century. It became the underwater city of Fr. Yonaguni, Japan often calls its archaeological find"Japanese Atlantis".

The Japanese island of Yonaguni, despite its tiny size and small population (a little over one and a half thousand people live here), was well known even outside the country for several reasons. Firstly, the strongest awamori is produced here. Secondly, this is the only place in the world where a special breed of horses lives (they are called Yonaguni). And thirdly, here in extreme point west coast Japan, divers from all over the world come to watch hammerhead sharks.

It was thanks to the curiosity of diving enthusiasts that the amazing discovery of the underwater city took place.

History of discovery

In the spring of 1986, experienced driver Kihachiro Aratatake was diving in search of the most suitable places for his team. During one of these dives, he discovered strange structures located at a depth of 10-15 meters. At first, the scuba diver didn’t even know what was what and, by his own admission, was a little scared.

But the very next day, photos of the Yonaguni pyramids appeared in Japanese newspapers. This find immediately attracted the attention of scientists. One after another, various hypotheses regarding the origin of the structures rained down. Some researchers have suggested that the buildings were erected in ancient times. Others defended the “modern” version, according to which the underwater complex is a sunken defensive installation from the Second World War. It has also been hypothesized that perhaps this is the mythical Lemuria - a continent that allegedly sank in Indian Ocean. Finally, there were those who believed that the mysterious structures arose as a result of some natural anomalies.

While scientists debated the origin of strange underwater objects, divers continued to explore the bottom. And soon a giant arch built from stone blocks was discovered. Now scientists have reached a unanimous verdict: the monument was undoubtedly created by man, and it was done a very long time ago.

Research on the seabed continued, and several more sites with buildings were discovered located near three islands (Yonaguni, Aguni, Kerama). It was an entire underwater city with buildings, among which the largest were the pyramids off the island of Yonaguni.

What is the underwater city of Yonaguni?

“City” is a very arbitrary name, since well-preserved structures have not yet been discovered. But underwater finds suggest that there could have been a settlement in this place many thousands of years ago. “Buildings” are objects made of stone blocks, to which “streets” presumably lead. There are also many caves, peculiar wells and canals.

The most impressive object is a huge megalith (height - about 20-25 m, width - 150 m, length - 200 m). Its architecture is reminiscent of the Incan pyramids. There are wide, flat platforms and terraces on different levels. The monument city is surrounded by a “road” and a stone fence. But what is most surprising is that some materials (for example, limestone in the fence) are not found in this area at all.

The complex includes several temple buildings, dozens of objects resembling houses, and a structure that looks like an amphitheater or stadium. They are located on clearly marked roads. The likeness of statues was also discovered, some archaeologists believe these are natural formations from shells and other underwater materials.

The underwater monument aroused great interest among divers. Many of them, despite the strong currents in this area, dive to see this miracle with their own eyes. One of the divers even wrote a book about the underwater city of Yonaguni.

Versions and hypotheses

Despite the enormous interest from the scientific community, the first serious expedition took place only 12 years after the discovery of the Yonaguni underwater monument. The study was sponsored by the famous Japanese industrialist Yasuo Watanabe. The expedition was led by the famous antiquities researcher and writer Graham Hancock, and the filming of the working process was entrusted to the Discovery TV channel. After the completion of the expedition, one of the participants, Boston University professor and geologist Robert Schoch, said that he considered the underwater pyramids to be a miraculous structure. He explained this by the properties of the sandstone from which underwater objects are composed. According to the professor, this stone can crack under the influence of natural factors, forming even angles.

However, the scientist did not rule out the possibility of human participation in the creation of the underwater complex. He suggested that these could be ancient quarries. The fact that people may have been involved in the construction of the objects was also evidenced by new finds during the expedition. In particular, the researchers found a bas-relief of an animal resembling a bull, primitive scrapers, processed stones with holes and printed symbols.

Subsequently, another scientific expedition was organized. This time not so pompous, and with a few big amount scientists, as the organizer was Rokyu University. The expedition was led by marine geologist Masaaki Kimura, who became a passionate defender of the “man-made” version. He believes that the objects were built about 5 thousand years ago, and the flooding of the place occurred about two thousand years ago as a result of a strong earthquake.

Some other scientists also believe that the underwater city could have been part of Taiwan in ancient times, which was flooded due to some kind of cataclysm.

But there are also many fantastic theories regarding the underwater complex. Creation mysterious pyramids attributed to gods, aliens, and unknown civilization, which lived in these places many thousands of years ago.

The underwater pyramids of Yonaguni in Japan continue to be explored. And I am sure that many more amazing discoveries await us related to this mysterious corner of the planet.