Yonaguni Monument: Ancient Submerged Pyramid Discovered Near Japan

The Yonaguni Monument, a massive underwater rock formation resembling a stepped pyramid, lies off the coast of Yonaguni [yoh-nah-goo-nee] Island, part of the Ryukyu [ree-yoo-kyoo] Islands near Taiwan. Discovered in 1986 by divers, the structure sits approximately 25 meters (82 feet) below the surface. Its artificial appearance sparked debate about its origin. The monument features terraced platforms and sharp angles, reaching a height of up to 25 meters. Some researchers suggest it could be around 10,000 years old. This predates the known pyramids of Giza [gee-zah] and potentially indicates construction by a community over 12,000 years ago, before the area was submerged by rising sea levels.