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Under the ground, no one built such a large structure just for fun. This place contains millions of tons of quarried stone that no one knows where it went. There are 24 Longu Caves in total, built with superior technology. In 1992, a villager discovered one of the “bottomless” lakes in Shian Bacon village and decided to pump out the water. After three weeks, he discovered a man-made cave with a height of 30 meters and many strange features.
The traces of tools on the walls and stone pillars raised many questions. The caves seemed to be newly built, but no one knew about their existence. When archaeologists studied them, they estimated that they were built about 2,000 years ago, but there were no historical documents recording them. The construction required ingenuity and sophisticated measuring equipment.
A million cubic meters of stone were quarried, but no one knows where it went. This raises questions about the light source the workers used in the darkness, as there are no signs of lamps or coal. The caves have remained intact for millennia, which is very different from many other ancient caves that have fallen into disrepair.
Finally, the biggest question is why these caves were built without any written records. Although the Han Dynasty was famous for its detailed record keeping, there are no records of this project. The quarrying required thousands of people working continuously for many years, but the mystery remains unsolved.
The Longu Caves have long been a subject of intrigue, leading to various theories regarding their origin, construction, and purpose. Here, we delve into the most popular and plausible theories surrounding these enigmatic structures.
Theory 1: Ancient Civilization with Lost Technology
One prevalent theory suggests that the Longu Caves were constructed by an ancient civilization utilizing advanced machinery, as manual labor alone seems insufficient for such an impressive feat. The tool marks on the cave walls bear a striking resemblance to those made by modern mining machines. This has led some to speculate that the caves were built around 6,000 years ago by an advanced race, possibly the Anunnaki, who imparted key advancements to humanity. The absence of historical records from the Han Dynasty regarding the caves’ construction supports this theory, suggesting they were completely unaware of the caves’ existence.
Theory 2: Palace or Unique Living Quarters
The grandeur and complexity of the Longu Caves have led some to propose that they were designed as a palace or opulent living quarters for an emperor. This theory posits that the meticulous craftsmanship and vast space reflect the ambition of a royal project, with no expenses spared. The effort invested in the intricate patterns on the walls supports the notion of a significant royal order behind the caves’ construction.
Theory 3: Religious Site
Another compelling theory suggests that the caves hold religious significance. Located beneath Fanghang Hill, a revered site in Chinese mythology, the caves may symbolize the union of Yin and Yang. The Fanghang resembles a phoenix, embodying themes of royalty and rebirth. This association suggests the Longu Caves could have been constructed in a location believed to be imbued with divine energy, potentially serving as a site for rituals or as a transition point for the deceased into the afterlife.
Theory 4: Storage Facilities
Dr. Chu Leang Kai from X Jang University theorizes that the caves were excavated under the orders of Emperor Schwan of the West Han Dynasty. This theory posits that the emperor aimed to create storage facilities in border regions for food, goods, and weapons in preparation for potential conflicts.
Theory 5: Military Hideout
This theory posits that the Longu Caves were utilized as a secretive military hideout. According to some accounts, an emperor sought to develop covert war strategies and concealed his troops within the caves. Alternatively, researcher Yangang Hongshun suggests that the caves were built around 494 BC under King Guan Hongjun’s command, allowing him and his soldiers to hide after suffering a significant defeat in battle.
Critiques of the Theories
While these theories offer intriguing possibilities, several critiques challenge their validity. For instance, the idea that an ancient civilization used advanced technology to construct the caves seems credible, given the sophisticated engineering involved. However, experts agree that the tool marks were made by hand, not machinery, debunking the notion of lost technology.
Additionally, the discovery of the caves in an empty state without any artifacts, grave goods, or evidence of habitation undermines the palace, tomb, and religious site theories. The absence of any signs of life in the caves raises questions about their intended use.
Regarding the military hideout theory, the argument that a king would pause significant construction projects during wartime for covert operations lacks strategic logic. Furthermore, the storage theory seems weak, as it would be impractical to store perishable goods and weapons in a cave prone to flooding.
Lastly, if the caves were indeed intended as cisterns, the presence of numerous chisel marks and stairs raises further questions. Why invest effort in carving intricate designs if the caves were merely meant to hold water? This leads to speculation that the Longu Caves might have been created with a different purpose in mind altogether.
