China: the Pyramids of Xi’an

The Pyramids of Xi’an, China

U.S. pilot James Gaussman discovered the intricate walls of one large structure in 1945, near the end of the Second World War. While returning from a mission to support the Chinese forces and making his way to his base in Assam, India, his engine broke down. Gaussman was astounded to see the location of a massive pyramid in the distance as he flew above Xi’an in the Shaanxi Province.  “It was completely white on all sides. The capstone, a sizable chunk of jewel-like substance that might have been crystal, was stunning. We wanted to land, but there was no way. The immensity of the thing struck us,” he remarked. The pilot made the most of this rare occasion and flew above, snapping pictures that would later be included in a report delivered to U.S. government officials.

Another American pilot, fascinated by the legend surrounding Gaussman’s mysterious “Great White” Chinese pyramid, flew close enough to the monument in 1947 to have a glimpse for himself. He calculated the height of the ancient marvel to be close to 1500 feet, much higher than the magnificent pyramid of Giza in Egypt, which is only 480 feet tall from base to the vertex.

The Science News Letter stated in 1947, “American scientists who have been in the area suggest that the pyramids have a height of 1,000 feet (300 m), more than twice as high as any of the Egyptian pyramids.”

Two years later, Colonel Maurice Sheahan, the Far Eastern director for Trans World Airlines, described the same event. However, Chinese authorities maintained the existence of this great pyramid a closely-kept secret, hiding it from the prying eyes of a global probe.

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One-hundred kilometers outside of Xi’an, an ancient city in central China, among green grasses, farms, and forests, rise a hundred pyramid-shaped mounds that have been shrouded in mystery for thousands of years.

Westerners first learned there were Chinese pyramids relatively recently, when Fred Meyer Schroder, an American travel agent and trader, first discovered them in 1912. At the time, he was traveling through the Shaanxi Province with a guide, where he recorded a thorough description in his diary, noting he’d seen one giant pyramid approximately 1,000 feet tall and nearly twice that size in length, surrounded by a number of smaller pyramids.

Schroder’s guide explained that the pyramids he happened upon were the subject of local legends and that their history could be found in ancient monastic documents. To put things into perspective, the great white pyramid of Xi’an is nearly twice as large as the Great Pyramid of Egypt. In 2000, Chinese officials declared there were around 400 pyramids north of Xi’an, though that doesn’t include the White Pyramid. Excavation of many of the other sites revealed mausoleums shaped more like Mesoamerican pyramids, differing from those in Egypt , as they are flat-topped and covered with vegetation.‍

The Chinese government has explaned that the reason no one is allowed to enter, is that overzealous archaeologists and tourists could potentially damage the artifacts. Officials claim they are waiting until technology advances enough to properly excavate the pyramids and their precious contents. Some of the pyramids are believed to be more than 8,000 years old, hence the reason to be careful.

Through modern technology, researchers have been able to chart the locations of dozens of the Xi’an pyramids, and taken particular interest in their spatial relationships. They’ve been particularly struck by how these mausoleums are in precise astrological alignment. While most of the monuments are positioned according to cardinal directions, with about half of them aligned true North, it was found that a few of them were about 14 degrees off. The explanation for this is believed to be astronomical in natuere. Computer analysis has revealed that the layout coincides with the Gemini constellation as it would’ve been positioned on the spring equinox in 10,500 B.C.

(Tasha Shayne)

The Chinese Shan Xi Pyramids are a collection of more than 38 pyramid mounds that challenge the conventional view of pyramid construction. They are notably devoid of the external formwork stones which characterize the Egyptian pyramids. Instead, they are made of earth and clay. This structural difference has sparked debate among archaeologists and historians about whether these mounds should be considered true pyramids. Some claim they served as burial mounds for emperors, while others suggest astronomical connections.

One of the most discussed pyramids in China is the Mausoleum of Mao Ling , traditionally associated with Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. This tomb, which is not a true pyramid, resembles the shape of a pyramid and is considered the resting place of the emperor. The interior is believed to consist of a complex array of chambers and passageways, but the mausoleum remains largely unexplored for preservation reasons.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Chinese pyramids is their potential alignment with celestial bodies. Some researchers believe that the location of these structures corresponds to certain constellations or has astronomical significance. This fueled speculation about the advanced knowledge of ancient Chinese civilizations in the fields of astronomy and mathematics. Although efforts have been made to study and preserve these structures, challenges persist. Urbanization and modern development threaten these archaeological sites, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts to safeguard the remains of China's ancient past. China's pyramids stand like silent sentinels, guarding the secrets of a bygone era. Their enigmatic nature invites speculation, curiosity and a thirst for understanding. As archaeologists continue to unearth clues and researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of these structures, we get closer to unlocking the secrets that lie beneath China's soil. (Archaia Creations)

(kazeuma Photo)

(Giulio Magli Photo)

The Maoling Mausoleum of Han Emperor Wu. There are over 40 “pyramid” mausoleums in China, which are huge artificial earth hills. Only two of these sites have been partly excavated. One of the sites is the pyramid tomb China’s First Emperor Qin Shi Huang, which is guarded by the famous Terracotta Army. There is evidence that ancient Greeks may have helped design the Terracotta Army, potentially offering fresh insight into China’s early contact with the west. Giulio Magli notes that the ancient Chinese pyramids fall into two categories. One group of tombs is oriented “with good precision” to the cardinal points of north, south, east and west. The second group of pyramids is oriented away from true north. Specifically, these tombs orient to the west of north, when looking toward the monument. It is possible that the ancient pyramid builders were accounting for the rotation of the Earth’s axis, which, over long periods of time, alters the position of the stars in the night sky. (James Rogers)