Sean Cate

Sean Cate

October 8, 2024

Japan’s Ancient Underwater ‘Pyramid’ Dubbed The ‘Real-Life Atlantis’

Off the coast of Japan’s Yonaguni Island lies a mysterious underwater structure that has intrigued divers, scientists, and historians alike. Known as the Yonaguni Monument, this enigmatic site has earned the nickname “Japan’s Atlantis” due to its pyramid-like appearance and the theories surrounding its origins. Let’s dive into the captivating details of this submerged wonder.

The Discovery of Yonaguni Monument

A part of Yonaguni Monument that is called the Main Terrace, underwater near Yonaguni Island, Japan
A part of Yonaguni Monument that is called the Main Terrace, underwater near Yonaguni Island, Japan. Credit: Melkov | Wikimedia

In 1987, local diver Kihachiro Aratake made a stunning discovery while exploring the waters off the southern Ryukyu Islands. While diving 25 meters beneath the surface, he stumbled upon a massive structure that resembled a series of steps with straight edges and smooth surfaces.1 This monument, which is approximately 50 meters long and 20 meters wide, has since become one of the most intriguing underwater archaeological finds in the world.

Aratake later said of the discovery, “I was very emotional when I found it. I realized that this would become a treasure of Yonaguni Island”.2 His discovery sparked worldwide interest and debates about whether this structure was man-made or a natural phenomenon.

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A 10,000-Year-Old Mystery?

The hidden gem laid undiscovered until 1987
Credit: BBC Global

Some researchers believe that the Yonaguni Monument could be over 10,000 years old, which would predate the pyramids of Egypt by several millennia. The monument’s size and structure have led some to speculate that it may be the remnants of a lost Pacific civilization, potentially linked to Japan’s prehistoric Jomon people. The Jomon people inhabited these islands as early as 12,000 BC, raising the possibility that they could have constructed this massive monument.

Despite these claims, scientists continue to debate whether humans could have created such a sophisticated structure so long ago, adding to the allure of the monument as a potential “real-life Atlantis.”

Theories: Man-Made or Natural Formation?

The mysterious underwater structure has baffled locals
Credit: BBC Global

Since its discovery, the debate over the Yonaguni Monument’s origins has divided the scientific community. While some believe it to be a naturally formed structure shaped by ocean currents and tectonic activity, others argue that its distinct right angles, flat surfaces, and stepped formations are evidence of human craftsmanship.

Professor Masaaki Kimura from Ryukyu University, who has extensively researched the site, said, “I think it’s very difficult to explain away their origins as being purely natural“. He believes that the formations exhibit signs of human influence, possibly for religious or ceremonial purposes. Meanwhile, Professor Robert Schoch of Boston University contends that the site’s features can be explained by natural processes, particularly since it is attached to a larger rock mass.

Striking Resemblance to Ancient Pyramids

However some scientists believe the formation was naturally formed
Credit: BBC Global

The monument’s resemblance to pyramids found in ancient cultures around the world has fueled the theory that it could have been part of an advanced civilization. The structure features large, flat terraces and spiraling steps, similar to ancient stepped pyramids like those in Egypt and Mesoamerica. This has led some to nickname it the “Atlantis of Japan,” drawing comparisons to the fabled lost city described by Plato.

However, skeptics argue that similar natural formations, such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, were created through volcanic activity and erosion, suggesting that the Yonaguni Monument may be another such phenomenon.

A Diver’s Perspective: Man-Made or Not?

Diver Kenzo Watanabe also believe the structure is man-made
Credit: BBC Global

Many divers who have visited Yonaguni are convinced that the monument was constructed by human hands. Diver Kenzo Watanabe expressed his amazement after exploring the site: “After seeing it, there’s no way I think it’s not man-made…It was really overwhelming, with so many different surfaces and symmetrical shapes”.

His sentiment is shared by many who have explored the structure firsthand. The monument’s well-defined angles and flat planes challenge the notion that it was formed purely by natural forces, although geological experts remain divided.

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The Geological Evidence

The discovery was made Yonaguni Island in Japan
Credit: BBC Global

Despite the compelling visual evidence suggesting human involvement, geological studies lean toward a natural explanation. The Yonaguni Monument is located in an earthquake-prone area, which may have contributed to the formation of its sharp, angular features. The region’s tectonic activity could have fractured and shaped the rock over thousands of years, creating the distinctive formations that now lie beneath the waves.

Skeptics also point to the monument’s integration with the surrounding rock, arguing that this suggests a natural origin rather than a constructed one.

Where to find the Monument
Credit: CBC Global

The Yonaguni Monument has often been compared to the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Plato’s story of Atlantis describes a utopian civilization that was eventually submerged by the sea due to the gods’ wrath. While the idea of an ancient city being swallowed by the ocean has captured the imaginations of many, most scientists are skeptical that Atlantis, as described by Plato, ever existed.

However, Yonaguni’s mysterious structures have led some to wonder if it could be the real-life inspiration for such legends, adding a layer of mystique to its already enigmatic nature.

The Ongoing Debate

The stunning underwater formation is 164ft long and 65ft wide
Credit: BBC Global

The Yonaguni Monument continues to fascinate and puzzle both scientists and adventurers alike. With no definitive answer as to whether it is a man-made structure or a natural formation, the site remains one of the great underwater mysteries of the modern age.

Professor Kimura continues to advocate for further research, suggesting that more evidence could still be uncovered. “We’ve only just begun to understand the true history of this site,” he said, hinting at the possibility of future discoveries that could shed light on its origins.

Conclusion

Kihachiro Aratake said he was emotional when he first came across the structure
Credit: BBC Global

Whether a natural geological wonder or the remnants of an ancient civilization, the Yonaguni Monument stands as a testament to the enduring mysteries of our planet. As divers continue to explore its depths and researchers strive to unlock its secrets, one thing is clear: Yonaguni has earned its place among the great underwater enigmas of the world.

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Sources

  1. Japan’s mysterious underwater ‘city’BBC. Naotomo Umewaka. March 11, 2021.
  2. ANCIENT RIDDLE I discovered mysterious underwater ‘pyramid’ dubbed ‘real-life Atlantis’…& experts still aren’t sure where it came from.” The Sun. Vera Demertzis. September 19, 2024.