Is it possible that a vanished civilization constructed a city during the Ice Age, before the glaciers melted? This intriguing notion has been drawn from the analysis of the ruins of Nan Madol, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Pacific.’ Sitting amidst a hundred islets in the Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 km from the nearest coastline, attached to the island of Temwen, Nan Madol presents a mystery that defies conventional timelines.
Initially credited to the Saudeleurs around 800 years ago, further exploration of Nan Madol reveals a more complex story. Today, only a few remnants of the city protrude above water, with walls starting to emerge from below sea level. These colossal walls, constructed from blocks weighing up to 40 tons, challenge the narrative of conventional construction methods.
The significant finding that the islets supporting Nan Madol have never sunken beneath the sea due to geological activities like bradyseism poses a puzzling question – how did the city end up partially submerged in water? Geologists suggest a fascinating explanation; the Pacific Ocean’s rising levels engulfed the city. This leads us to an astonishing conclusion – Nan Madol predates the last significant rise in the Pacific Ocean, which occurred more than 14,000 years ago after the Ice Age thawed.
This revelation proposes that Nan Madol’s origins might trace back to a period far earlier than previously believed. The sheer scale of the city’s construction, requiring over 100,000 tons of volcanic rock transported to create its islets, baffles the imagination. Notably, all the rock in Nan Madol exhibits magnetic properties, confounding traditional theories of how such materials could have been transported.
The enigmatic magnetism of these rocks raises tantalizing questions regarding the methods ancient builders potentially employed to erect Nan Madol. Could these magnetic rocks hold the key to understanding the city’s construction and its possible age, dating back well before our current historical understanding?
The mystery of Nan Madol challenges conventional archaeological narratives, offering a glimpse into a past civilization shrouded in the mists of time. As further research sheds light on this remarkable site, the secrets of this ancient city may unveil a history far more ancient and extraordinary than we ever imagined.