Ancient mystery: netizens captivated by pyramid formations in southern China
- Viral drone footage sparks online debate about the origin and purpose of Guizhou wonders
- Guizhou Normal University professor explains how they came to be and the forces behind their striking stacked-brick effect
Amid the lush landscape of Guizhou in China a drone video shows a natural wonder: a series of mountains with a striking resemblance to the Egyptian pyramids.
The footage has captivated social media users worldwide, and its virality has sparked online debate.
Some speculate that the mountains in Anlong county conceal the tombs of ancient emperors while others believe they were crafted by the same extraterrestrial beings purported to have built the pyramids of Egypt.
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Dispelling these myths, Professor Zhou Qiuwen, a geologist from Guizhou Normal University, provided a scientific explanation in a report by Eyesnews, a news agency under the auspices of the Guizhou Daily, on Sunday.
According to Zhou, these natural “pyramids” are not artificially constructed nor are they an ancient tomb site. Instead, they are testament to nature’s craftsmanship.
Guizhou, a province in the interior southwest region of China, is known for its rich natural beauty and diverse landscape. The average elevation of the province is around 1,100 metres (3,600 feet), with 92.5 per cent of its area consisting of mountains and hills.
The region is home to numerous mountain ranges, with peaks rising steeply and valleys deeply etched, stretching far and wide across the landscape.