Can Japan's Yonaguni underwater monument replace Egypt's pyramids as the oldest mysterious structure, rewriting history?

In the turquoise depths off Japan’s westernmost shores lies a mystery that might just shatter everything we thought we knew about ancient civilization. Submerged 25 meters beneath the surface near the island of Yonaguni, a colossal, pyramid-like structure challenges our understanding of history and architecture. Some scientists believe it could be over 10,000 years old—making it potentially older than Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza and even Stonehenge.

Discovered accidentally in 1987 by local diver Kihachiro Aratake, the monument has become a source of fascination and fierce academic debate. Aratake, overwhelmed by the find, initially kept it a secret, sensing its potential as a national treasure. “I was very emotional when I found it,” he later revealed. “I realized this would become a treasure of Yonaguni Island.”

Soon after, researchers and archaeologists descended upon the site, captivated by its geometric shapes, stair-like formations, and what appear to be precisely carved terraces. While some believe these features are signs of human craftsmanship, others insist the structure is a natural geological formation shaped by millennia of seismic activity and ocean currents.

#Yonaguni monument #Japan is an underwater rock feature discovered in the mid 1980’s, while some people believe the #Ziggurat style formation is part of an ancient #city others feel it is a natural occurrence?! Your thoughts! #ancient #mysteries pic.twitter.com/Q9ULYieBvN

— Ancient Alternative View (@ancient_view) March 4, 2023

Older Than Giza?
What makes the Yonaguni Monument especially controversial is its alleged age. While Egypt’s pyramids date back around 4,500 years and Stonehenge about 5,000, estimates for the Yonaguni site stretch as far back as 10,000 years. If verified, that would place it in the same archaeological bracket as Turkey’s Göbekli Tepe, one of the earliest known examples of monumental architecture.

Prominent voices in the alternative archaeology community, such as author Graham Hancock, have argued passionately for Yonaguni’s man-made origins. On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Hancock clashed with archaeologist Flint Dibble over the monument’s authenticity. “To me, it’s stunning that you see that as a totally natural thing,” Hancock said. “If this really was built by a mysterious civilization more than 10,000 years ago, it would place Yonaguni in the same league as Göbekli Tepe.”

Science, Speculation, and Skepticism
Japanese marine geologist Masaaki Kimura has spent years diving and studying the monument. Initially skeptical, Kimura later changed his view, arguing that the monument couldn’t have been shaped solely by natural forces. “I think it's very difficult to explain away their origin as being purely natural,” he told National Geographic, “because of the vast amount of evidence of man's influence on the structures.”

Yet, the mainstream archaeological community remains divided. While some support further exploration, others urge caution, arguing that cognitive bias may lead researchers to see patterns where none exist.

The massive right angle megalithic steps of the alleged ruins of the Yonaguni Monument in Japan submerged 26 meters underwater... pic.twitter.com/Ap8ZyQorq8

— John the Alchemist (@johnlopez2nd) May 13, 2024

Atlantis of the East?
Often nicknamed "Japan’s Atlantis," the Yonaguni Monument continues to spark imaginations across the world. Whether it’s the remains of an ancient, lost civilization or a quirk of geological coincidence, the site adds to the allure of the ocean’s many hidden secrets.

For now, the Yonaguni Monument remains a riddle beneath the waves—one that might just rewrite history, if only we’re willing to dive deep enough.