The Lost City of Atlantis... Found?
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What is the myth of Atlantis?
Ancient humans from all over the planet pass down a similar myth. They all tell the story of a lost civilization with advanced abilities. In some accounts, these people are gods. In others, they have eternal life. In the version you've probably heard, they create a culture in perfect harmony, a utopia. But a sudden flood engulfs the entire community. All their buildings, technology, and knowledge are lost to the bottom of the ocean. Sounds familiar, right? That's the legend of Atlantis. Most agree the story is just that, a story. But why would so many prehistoric cultures, thousands of miles apart, be telling the same story? Some scuba divers and scholars think that's because it's true. They think they've found the evidence off the coast of the small Japanese island of Yonaguni, the underwater ruins of Atlantis. Welcome to Conspiracy Theories, a Spotify podcast. I'm Carter Roy. You can find us here every Wednesday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at The Conspiracy Pod. And we would love to hear from you.
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Where is the Yonaguni Monument located?
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Yonaguni Island is part of a Japanese archipelago called Ryukyu. The chain of islands sweeps off the southwestern tip of mainland Japan. Yonaguni is the last of the group and one of the smallest. It's only about 20 miles in circumference. According to an episode of the show History's Mysteries on Yonaguni, you can drive around the whole thing in less than 40 minutes. In 1987, Yonaguni local and scuba diving master Kihachiro Aratake is on the hunt for a hammerhead shark breeding ground. At the time, most visiting scuba divers come to see the unique sharks native to the area. So, Aratake sets out on his boat and drops anchor in an area he hasn't explored yet. As he glides near the ocean floor, about 80 feet below the surface, Aratake pauses,
Who discovered the Yonaguni Monument?
He can't believe what he's seeing. In the underwater gloom, he sees a massive stone staircase. Huge steps, perfectly parallel to the ocean floor with sharp 90 degree angles. Even through his wetsuit, he feels his hair standing on end and becomes unexpectedly emotional. His body seems to know before his brain. He is in the presence of something momentous. Aratake swims upward, following the rocks toward the surface. It seems to go on forever. The steps rise up regularly, forming a pyramid shape. He can't seem to process what he's seeing. One thought keeps overwhelming everything else. people made this. I am looking at undiscovered ancient ruins. Aratake names the headland near the site Isekihonto or Ruins Point.
The rock structure he discovered becomes known as the Yonaguni Monument. Aratake returns often, bringing other divers whenever he can. Everyone who sees it has an experience similar to Aratake's. absolute wonder. Divers say it feels like traveling back in time or entering a mythical kingdom. The entire structure is more than 500 feet long, almost as long as two football fields, and about 65 feet wide. At its highest point, it's almost as tall as an eight-story building. The steps define just one side of the pyramid-like structure. As Aratake and other divers continue to explore, they spot other features as well. There's a narrow rectangular passage that leads right to the bottom of the staircase. The walls are flat and even, with another huge rock lying across the top to create the roof. Series of steps open up onto terraced platforms reminiscent of a stadium or amphitheater. Some lower parts of the complex have symmetrical grooves in them, narrow channels that are just wide enough to walk in.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the myth of Atlantis?
0:05–1:56
2
Where is the Yonaguni Monument located?
1:56–3:27
3
Who discovered the Yonaguni Monument?
3:27–8:27
4
What evidence supports the monument as a man-made structure?
8:27–12:50
5
What do experts say about the origins of the Yonaguni Monument?
12:50–17:30
6
What is the connection between the monument and the Jomon people?
17:30–21:48
7
Could the Yonaguni Monument be linked to a lost civilization?
21:48–26:22
8
What is the Lost Continent of Mu?
26:22–31:32
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from Conspiracy Theories
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