The Longyou Caves and Nan Madol: Two Mysterious Ancient Wonders

GET‌ ‌EVERY‌ ‌EPISODE‌ ‌AD FREE PLUS BONUS‌ ‌CONTENT‌ ‌AT:‌ ‌‌www.patreon.com/crackpotpodcast‌ In the 1960s, a group of farmers in China were digging for water when they made a startling discovery: a vast network of underground caves, carved by hand out of solid rock. The Longyou Caves are now considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, but their origins and purpose remain a mystery. In Micronesia, another mysterious ancient wonder lies hidden beneath the waves: Nan Madol. This artificial island complex is made up of hundreds of basalt columns, arranged in a labyrinthine pattern. Nan Madol is thought to have been built by the Saudeleur dynasty, but its exact purpose and timeline of construction are unknown. In this episode, we explore the history, theories, and legends of the Longyou Caves and Nan Madol. We'll discuss the challenges of building these ancient sites, and we'll consider the different possibilities for their purpose.