Lost World Or Natural Wonder? Understanding The Mystery Of Japan's Atlantis
Japan is a country known for its technological wonders and age-old customs, but beneath its surface is a region that is enigmatic and sometimes referred to as "Japan's Atlantis."?
A fascinating discussion emerges when researchers and explorers descend further into the ocean: is this underwater wonder the product of natural forces or human craftsmanship??
In this piece, we set out to solve the mystery of "Japan's Atlantis" and investigate the strong cases for both its natural and artificial origins.?
Who Is Lost?
The remnants of a metropolis constructed thousands of years ago by a vanished civilization are located near Japan, deep below the sea.?
National Geographic describes the stone structures as "Japan's Atlantis," and they are located on Yonaguni Jima, the westernmost inhabited island in Japan.?
What Is It All About?
The site went on to say that an earthquake that occurred 2,000 years ago destroyed the old metropolis.?
In 1987, a local diver conducting research off the shore of the Ryukyu Islands unearthed it when he noticed a set of very flawlessly carved steps with straight edges.?
According to a BBC story, the rectangular, stacked pyramid-shaped monument may have been constructed by the prehistoric Jomon people of Japan, who may have inhabited these islands as early as 12000 BC as part of a long-lost Pacific civilization.?
However, other scientists liken it to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, where a volcanic explosion millions of years ago produced thousands of interlocking basalt columns, all of which are natural formations.?
According to the BBC story, the submerged structure is connected to a larger rock mass and features arched openings and tight tunnels.?
Robert Schoch, a physics and mathematics professor at Boston University who has scuba dived at the site, told National Geographic, "I'm not convinced that any of the major features or structures are manmade steps or terraces, but that they're all natural."
"It's basic geology and classic stratigraphy for sandstones, which tend to break along planes and give you these very straight edges, particularly in an area with lots of faults and tectonic activity," he said.
Though the structure has generated significant discussion regarding its provenance, the ruins of Yonaguni are not recognised as an important cultural property by the administration of Okinawa Prefecture or the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs.
What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.
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