Today we know that the Chinese pyramids are located in the city of Xi'an, one of China's cities with the richest cultural heritage. However, their existence was kept secret for many years, a mystery that persists to this day, as the Chinese government has repeatedly denied their presence.
At the same time, excavations for their study are prohibited, making it impossible to obtain clear evidence of their presence and structure, to the point of casting doubt on their very existence. However, satellite images prove that they do exist. Stay with us to resolve this conundrum and discover what the Chinese pyramids really are: structures shrouded in mystery.
Characteristics of the Chinese pyramids
Chinese pyramids have a peculiar characteristic compared to the popular Egyptian pyramids: they are truncated , meaning that instead of ending in a point, they are flattened at the top. Furthermore, in many of the Chinese government's attempts to conceal them , they are covered with vegetation , so they appear as simple hills in the landscape. In this sense, analyzing the region's economy could also provide interesting information about the cultural context of these constructions, adding to the
Functions and meaning of the Chinese pyramids
They are essentially large funerary complexes. Ancient Chinese dynasties erected these structures as mausoleums for royalty, making them symbols of power.
They also served as fortified encampments for soldiers during times of war. The famous Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an are a prime example of this.
The city of Xi'an is therefore the enclave of these constructions full of mystery that attract tourists from all over the world and are the focus of the scientific community. The terracotta warriors accompanied by the impressive pyramids make up the picturesque and enigmatic landscape of this heritage city.
The pyramid-shaped mausoleums covered in vegetation form funerary mounds that have shaped the Chinese landscape, transforming it into a true symbol of the imperial power of the ancient dynasties. Through this landscape, the deceased rulers were believed to be guided to eternal life. Similarities with other civilizations highlight the importance of studying these structures.
Types of Chinese pyramids
- The Chinese pyramids of Han located in the extension of a great valley on the outskirts of the city of Xi'an being the largest of all, "The Great Chinese, White or Xi'an Pyramid" (known by all three names), followed by the other smaller ones. The Great White Pyramid has been compared to the Egyptian pyramid at Giza, due to their dimensional similarities. The structure of the Great Pyramid of Xi'an has also been compared to that of the Mexican pyramids at Teotihuacán.
Mathematical studies have been conducted on the distribution and equidistance between the pyramids of China, Mexico, and Egypt, revealing similarities. This distribution has also been compared to that of the stars in Orion's Belt, and indeed, there are coincidences. This has fueled the belief that the placement of these pyramids is not accidental, but rather the result of a premeditated intention, around which all sorts of ufological and theological theories revolve.
- El Shaohao Mausoleum, located in shandong province, worships the Yellow Emperor. It is the only Chinese pyramid that is not truncated and is also built with stone blocks, so it is reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids but in a reduced version.
- Xia Tombs They are made up of 250 tombs of officials and relatives of the emperor, belonging to the Tangut empire. These pyramids do not have defined angles but their edges are rounded.
- La Eastern Pyramid, which is also known as general's grave, belonged to two Korean kings, however they are currently located in the Chinese province of Jilin. Its size is about half that of the Egyptian analogues.
How were the Chinese pyramids discovered?
The Chinese pyramids were first discovered by the Jesuit priest Athanasius Kircher in 1667. Despite the Chinese government's continuous attempts to hide them, the Chinese pyramids eventually became an open secret, and over time rumors of their existence spread beyond China's borders.
However, it took some time for its existence to become public knowledge. That moment arrived during World War II, when American Air Force pilot James Gaussman made the first significant sighting of a Chinese pyramid: the Great White Pyramid. According to his descriptions, while flying over the city of Xi'an, he observed and photographed a large pyramid with a striking white color, crowned by a large, brilliant gem. However, the photographs published by the New York Times did not match this description, and his testimony was dismissed and used by the Chinese government to deny its existence.
It was not until the 90s when the Chinese government was forced to acknowledge that, 100 kilometers from the city of Xi'an, an entire archaeological complex of pyramids was erected, among which the Great White Pyramid reported by Gaussman stood out. .