Debunking the Pyramids of Antarctica Myth
Can't be a mountain! That's too easy.
originally published by www.overunitybuilder.com/
Pyramids in Antarctica: Fact or Fiction?
Sometimes, the best way to debunk a story is to read it. Case in point: The story about the discovery of ancient pyramids in Antarctica. Recently, this tale of intrepid explorers discovering a series of man-made structures on a continent that has been too harsh to support sustainable human life for millions of years went viral over the Internet.
The story was picked up by many news outlets and blogs throughout the world and has made its way as a meme on Facebook and other social media sites. By all accounts, this story would sound like the greatest archeological discovery of a lifetime.
However, nearly everything about this article, including the pictures and descriptions of the “explorers,” hints that this was merely a hoax. Even the news outlets that ran with the story are suspect. Whatever the case may be, the story is its own undoing.
The Photos
The only "real" proof of the pyramids comes from a series of photographs supposedly taken during the expedition. Several show mountains with seemingly smooth edges partially covered in snow. Others show a conical-shaped mound of snow near the coast. Finally, there appears to be an icy pyramid on a frozen plain.
The photos are not exactly compelling. The giant “pyramids” with clean edges are clearly mountains. In fact, these mountains look like any mountain range existing in extremely cold climates. The smooth edges and sides are more likely the result of natural erosion and the photographer's proximity to the mountain when the shot was taken.
The icy cone near the coast is impressive and seems like humans made it. Then again, it’s near the coast, and that portion of its structure appears to be the result of wind, sea, or both (Update: The photo in question was actually cropped from an original photo. It wasn't the subject of the original photo. See caption for the actual person who took it)
The “snow pyramid” on the plain (also near the coast) is the least compelling. It suspiciously looks like it was photo-shopped (then again, looks can be deceiving). Also, it appears small in scale and closely resembles a pile of plowed snow (remember, there are bases with runways that need to be cleared down there).
The Article
There are several clues to the article’s authenticity. Part of the problem is its length. A story about a new, earth-shattering, history-changing discovery is relatively short (at least the one presented by Serbia News was minuscule). Recently, an article about the discovery of new species in Australia's “lost world” garnered a lengthy write-up.
The story is not new, either. It appears that variations of the story have been circulating on the web for nearly a decade. While there are some slight variations, the story hasn’t changed much. Most sites have added opinions rather than updates. In fact, the “new” version of the article has the same lead as its original publication.
The original writer—whoever that might be—claimed in the lead that the search was ongoing and that eight researchers were involved. No names are given to the explorers.
This leads to another flaw in the pyramid story. The websites and blogs that chose to print it didn’t bother to validate the story. It appears nobody involved in the expedition was contacted. Any sense of sourcing done in the article was to mention an obscure website known for printing pseudo-scientific-themed articles (no link available).
It’s obvious that many sites merely searched the web, found the story, and placed it on their sites. This is not exactly investigative journalism at its finest (that is, if you dare to give it that distinction).
The News Outlets
Most of the news outlets are found on the Internet. Many of them have posted questionable stories in the past. One such website reporting on this matter is Before It’s News.com. This site was once the darling of citizen journalism. Its platform allowed anyone to post a newsworthy article.
Over the years, Before It’s News has been taken over by conspiracy theorists, cranks, and ideologists who have written articles about such ground-breaking stuff as secret lunar bases, alien infiltration, and shadowy government activities.
When this story was “reported” on their site in late 2012, it took on a whole new dimension. The result was, shall we say, unique. On top of eight unnamed explorers from America and Europe discovering the pyramids, there were hints of hidden Nazi bases and remnants of the lost continent of Atlantis.
The other sites are not better, either. Many will put a political stance to it, while others will run with pseudo-scientific slants. Many centers around the theme of the lost continent of Atlantis. It’s not surprising to see some sites adding the line “the government doesn’t want you to know this ...”
Originally posted on /everybodysucksbutus.com/
Alien vs. Predator
Interestingly enough, this story’s origin may not have anything to do with Nazis, Atlantis or government cover-ups. Instead, it’s Hollywood—to be precise, a movie that pitted two iconic space monsters against one another.
According to a trailer of Alien vs. Predator (based on the movie and the Dark Horse Comics series), a group of explorers uncovers an ancient pyramid in Antarctica. To make a long story short, the aliens and predators battle one another inside it while the humans try to stay out of harm’s way.
Is it a coincidence? The answer is most likely no. The story is just a myth kept alive by the nature of sensationalistic websites on the Internet. Yet, its flaws are so glaring that nearly anyone reading it can spot them. Some websites have debunked it; however, as long as some use it as affirmation for their beliefs in “alternative news” of the paranormal, conspiracies, or other bizarre matters, this story will not meet the cold and frozen death that it deserves.
Update 2016: Possible Explanation From Nature
It appears the pyramids are not a mystery, after all. For years, climbers heading to Antarctica's largest peak, Vinson Massif, have passed by one of these supposed pyramids. Even a National Geographic photographer snapped a few pictures of it from the peak of Vinson Massif.
Other photos and videos on the Internet show climbers ascending this peak while the pyramid can be seen in the background. And, by all appearance, no one is really paying much attention to it. There's a reason.
The "pyramid" may well be a natural formation known as nunatak. These are mountain peaks that jut up above massive glaciers. They are found throughout Antarctica and Greenland. These formations were believed to be formed by years of erosion caused by the shifting glaciers.