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There seem to be many features on land, both in Okinawa and on Yonaguni-jima, that are simlar to features of some of the structures found underwater. This is particularly true of the 'gusukus', which is the word in Japanese for 'castles'. Collectively, the structures found around Yonaguni-jima are only a small part
of a much larger 'complex' of megalithic structures that stretch almost from the east coast of
Taiwan to the Korean Peninsula, areas that were above sea-level during the last Ice Age ...

the interview with Professor Masaaki Kimura continues ...

Morien Institute :
According to the abstract, at the Hawaii symposium you also said that the Yonaguni structure resembles ancient Okinawan castles such at Shuri Castle and Nakagusuku Castle on Okinawa Island. How old are these castles, and who built them?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"Giant gusukus such as Shuri Gusuku Castle (the most important building in Okinawa, now) were built about 500 years ago. The names of who built them are well known. They are "Aji" - the same as a "king" in Europe."

the 'Nakagusuku' on Okinawa island which is typical of
the Ruykyu Dynasty era (c.13th century)

Copyright © 2002 Dr. Masaaki Kimura
-- Okinawa, Japan --

Morien Institute :
From the map I see that there are another two structural features some distance from the Iseki Point. These have been named as 'the stadium' and 'Goshintai'. Can you reveal when they were discovered, and why these features came to be so named?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"A feature similar to a stadium in also found 200 m southeast of the No.1 monument. "Goshintai" means symbolized of "God", however it is thought to be a solar clock. We call it "Teda-ishi" (sun stone)."

Morien Institute :
Are we then talking about a 'complex' of megalithic structures around Yonaguni Island, and does this complex reach as far as Okinawa and other Japanese Islands?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"I think the complex reaches as far as Okinawa and other Japanese Islands where the Jomon Culture was since 16,000 years before present"

Morien Institute :
There are topographical features which some have said are 'ancient structures' underwater off the coasts of the Kerama Islands, Aguni-Jima and also Chatan. Do they have any features in common with No. 1 monument at Iseki Point off Yonaguni Island?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"They show in part a similar structure to a stepped pyramidal one off Kerama Islands, and a stepped broad terrace off Chatan near Okinawa mainland. Scientific data, however, are lacking in both."

Morien Institute :
I am given to understand that the Okinawa culture is different to that of mainland Japan. How old would you estimate the Okinawa Culture to be?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"The Okinawa Culture has been said to be different to that of mainland Japan. The Okinawa one is said to be newer, since 12 Centuries. The oldest man in Japan, however, was found in Okinawa. For my idea, it would be 10,000 years old."

Morien Institute :
Do you think that the ancient Jomon culture of Japan 10,000 years ago could in any way influenced the design, and the position in the landscape, of the structures that you have found in the Yonaguni area?

Professor Masaaki Kimura :
"I can see many common cultures of stones such as stone circles and monuments. However, there is definitely a difference between the Jomon and Yonaguni Cultures as regards the construction. The former showed only holes used for poles excavated in the mudground, but the latter did megalithic pyramidal structures."

a selection of books
from our
Ancient Mysteries
Bookshoppe

"Ancient Jomon of Japan"
Junko Habu

EU English Edition

"Underworld: Flooded
Kingdoms of the Ice Age"
Graham Hancock

EU English Edition

"Voices of the Rocks: A Scientist Looks at Catastrophes and Ancient Civilizations"
Dr Robert M. Schoch

EU English Edition

"In the Wake of Jomon:
Stone Age Mariners and a Voyage Across the Pacific"
Jon Turk

EU English Edition

"An Archaeological History of Japan, 30,000 B.P. to
A.D. 700"
Koji Mizoguchi

EU English Edition

"Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D.697"
W.G. Aston
(Translator)

EU English Edition

"Sacred Texts and Buried Treasure: Issues on the Historical Archaeology of
Ancient Japan"
William Wayne Farris

EU English Edition

"Shinto: The Sacred Art of Ancient Japan"
Victor Harris
(Editor)

EU English Edition

Japan's Mysterious Pyramids:
Yonaguni-jima
Only Available On DVD
Do undersea relics near Okinawa offer proof of a sophisticated civilization during the last ice age?

the interview with Professor Masaaki Kimura continues on pages

2 | 3 | 4

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Marine Archæology News Archive

	Web The Morien Institute

History's Mysteries

"Do undersea relics near Okinawa offer proof of a sophisticated civilization during the last ice age? Archeologists have long believed that civilization as we define it -- intelligent, tool-making, monument building, social humans -- began about 5,000 years ago. But submerged beneath the waves near the Japanese island of Yonaguni is evidence that may well overturn that long-held theory.

A small but persuasive number of scholars and scientists have long thought that "advanced" societies may have existed as long as 10,000 years ago. Their theories, however well reasoned and defended, have been hamstrung by a lack of evidence. But recent discoveries of man-made artifacts on the Pacific seafloor may well prove to be the smoking gun that will propel this alternative view of civilization to prominence".

see the evidence with 'unique underwater footage' of the Yonaguni structures
in the NEW DVD of the 'History Channel' television programme

"Japan's Mysterious Pyramids"
ONLY AVAILABLE ON DVD

the interview with Professor Masaaki Kimura continues on pages

1 | 2 | 4

Marine Archæology News Archive

	Web The Morien Institute

"Do undersea relics near Okinawa offer proof of a sophisticated civilization during the last ice age? Archeologists have long believed that civilization as we define it -- intelligent, tool-making, monument building, social humans -- began about 5,000 years ago. But submerged beneath the waves near the Japanese island of Yonaguni is evidence that may well overturn that long-held theory.

A small but persuasive number of scholars and scientists have long thought that "advanced" societies may have existed as long as 10,000 years ago. Their theories, however well reasoned and defended, have been hamstrung by a lack of evidence. But recent discoveries of man-made artifacts on the Pacific seafloor may well prove to be the smoking gun that will propel this alternative view of civilization to prominence".

see the evidence with 'unique underwater footage' of the Yonaguni structures
in the VHS video of the 'History Channel' television programme

Japan's Mysterious Pyramids: YONAGUNI
- NTSC VHS -