We've Been Lied To. Ancient Civilization Is Not What You Think

Summary

In 1986, diving instructor Kiichiro Aritake encountered a large underwater rock formation off Yonaguni Island, Japan. Its flat terraces, steep walls, apparent right angles, and step-like features led some divers to call it an underwater city or pyramid. The formation became known as the Yonaguni Monument.

Marine geologist Masaaki Kimura investigated the site and argued that it was artificial. He reported features he interpreted as a road, retaining wall, stadium-like seating, a pool, post holes, and possible markings. Based on past sea levels, he proposed that the structure might have been built when the area was above water, roughly 10,000–12,000 years ago. He has suggested it could be evidence of a lost civilization, though this interpretation remains disputed.

Geologist Robert Schoch examined the formation and concluded that it is principally natural. He attributed its terraces and sharp-looking edges to the way layered sedimentary rock fractures and erodes. He interpreted the apparent road as an eroded channel and the round holes as water-carved potholes. Schoch has allowed that people may have modified or used parts of the natural formation when it was above sea level.

The video presents the site’s origin as an unresolved debate; the Japanese government does not recognize it as an archaeological site.

The video also connects the debate to discoveries showing that people of the late Ice Age could undertake substantial construction. It cites Göbekli Tepe, dated in the video to about 11,500 years ago; the roughly 11,000-year-old Shigir Idol; and ancient stone structures in Israel. These discoveries make human modification of a natural landmark plausible, but do not establish that Yonaguni was built by an ancient civilization.

Sea levels rose substantially after the last Ice Age, inundating former coastlines. The video suggests that submerged archaeological sites may exist, while emphasizing that Yonaguni’s origin—and what else may lie underwater—remains uncertain.

Investigative Approaches

• Kimura: Made more than 100 dives; mapped and photographed the formation; took measurements and samples; and interpreted its features as evidence of human construction.
• Schoch: Examined the rock’s layers, fractures, erosion patterns, channels, and holes; compared them with natural formations; and proposed that the main structure is geological, with possible human modification.

Researchers and Sources Mentioned

• Kiichiro Aritake — Diving instructor who first reported the formation; his name is also rendered as “Aratake” in the subtitles.
• Masaaki Kimura — Marine geologist at the University of the Ryukyus.
• Robert Schoch — Geologist and professor at Boston University.
• Graham Hancock — Invited Schoch to investigate Yonaguni.
• Göbekli Tepe — Archaeological site in Turkey.
• Shigir Idol — Ancient wooden sculpture found in Russia.
• Ancient stone structures in Israel — Mentioned without a specific site or researcher.