By Analea Styles
Read about more pyramids:
Mentioned briefly in The
Genius of Ancient Man, the islands of Tenerife and Mauritius harbor some of
the most intriguing pyramid sites in the world. The mystery of these sites is
not due to advanced megalithic construction (such as the Great Pyramid)
or incredibly sophisticated technology (as seen in ancient nanotechnology), rather these two islands are fascinating due to their geographic
locations and the similarities between the pyramids found there.
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| Mauritius Pyramid 3 Photo credit: Stephane Mussard |
The pyramids on both Tenerife and Mauritius:
- Are built in complexes with multiple structures in one area.
- Are all step pyramids.
- Are built using identical construction techniques.
- Are built with mostly volcanic rock.
- Contain 6-11 terraces/steps.
- Stand no more than 12 meters in height.
- Are astronomically aligned (or are theorized to be).
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| Pyramid at Guimar, Tenerife http://ratmax.info/photos-of-tenerife.htm  |
It is, in fact, next to impossible
to differentiate between the pyramids on Tenerife and those on Mauritius.[1]
These incredible similarities may not seem all that
remarkable unless you also know this final fascinating aspect: these two islands
are THOUSANDS of miles apart, separated by the continent of Africa.
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| Island of Tenerife (A) and the Island of Mauritius (B) |
Mauritius Pyramids
Mauritius is a small island located east of Madagascar, off
the coast of Africa. The seven pyramids on Mauritius are all located on the Plaine
Magnien. Though at one time they were protected historical sites, they are no
longer recognized as such and are in danger of being lost[2].
 |
| Pyramid 2 on Mauritius - potentially aligned with the summer solstice Photo Credit: Stephane Mussard |
The pyramids have never been the subject of any major archaeological
study, thus very little is known about them. The timeline of their origin, their
builders and their purpose remain a mystery. Some scientists, such as Dr. Semir
Osmanagic (renown for his discovery of the controversial Bosnian pyramid), are
calling for a team of investigators to work on the site so that these questions
may be answered. Osmanagic believes the pyramids have global significance due
to their similarity to the Tenerife pyramids as well as those in Mesoamerica
(built by the Mayans, Aztecs etc.). He believes the mainstream theories about
ancient pyramid-building are incorrect and the pyramids at Mauritius can help to
set history straight by proving that an ancient sea-faring people built these
structures[3].
Interestingly, locals tell visitors that these pyramids are
merely piles of stones collected by farmers as they cleared their fields.
However the precise corners, flat bases, apparent astronomical alignment and central
staircases leading to the top defy such ideas. It may be that the local peoples
make these claims for fear of losing their farmland to archaeological sites.
 |
| Mauritius Pyramids Photo Credit: Stephane Mussard |
These structures were carefully and skillfully designed. The
architects who built them made allowances for the uneven ground, working in the
irregularities of the terrain to create a strong, level base. They used no
mortar or any other binding agent between the rocks but rather painstakingly
constructed the pyramids, stone by stone[4].
Because these pyramids have never been officially or
purposefully researched, there is little that can be substantiated. They appear
to be astronomically aligned to the winter and summer solstices but that has
yet to be verified.
Pyramids of Guimar on Tenerife
In contrast to the Mauritius pyramids, the Tenerife site has
been studied extensively since the 1990s. Thor Heyerdahl, world renowned for
his studies and theories of ancient intercontinental ocean travel (including
several expeditions in which he travelled thousands of miles across the sea in
his own “primitive” boats), investigated the site and claimed that the pyramids
were further evidence of his theories[5].
 |
| Piramides de Guimar Park on Tenerife featuring a display of "primitive" reed boats with a pyramid in the background. http://www.tenerifemagazine.com/tag/thor-heyerdahl-and-tenerife |
Heyerdahl maintained (rather controversially) that the pyramids
were built by the Gaunche, the mysterious white-skinned, blonde, blue-eyed
people who lived on Tenerife in ancient times. It is believed that they
migrated to the island by boat (the only way to reach Tenerife) sometime
between 1000 – 100 BC[6]. This strengthened
Heyerdahl’s theory that people have been traversing the globe by sea, trading
and sharing knowledge, since ancient times.
The most well-known pyramids in Tenerife are located in the
town of Guimar and are now a major tourist attraction. (There are more pyramids
located on the western side of the island.) The site of these six pyramids was preserved largely due
to the efforts of Heyerdahl. He had to fight against the strong local beliefs
that the pyramids were merely piles of rock cleared for farming (just like the
theories on Mauritius!).
 |
| The precise corners of the pyramids on Tenerife Photo credit: Dave Walsh |
However Heyerdahl substantiated his own theories by pointing
out that the pyramids were built with rock from further inland, not cleared
from fields. The stones also show evidence of being shaped and trimmed by hand. The pyramids were not haphazardly
thrown together but rather painstakingly constructed with the flat sides of
each rock facing outward. They are also clearly astronomically aligned to the
winter and summer solstices and have stairs on their western sides, leading up
to the platform on top[7].
It is evident that the pyramids were constructed with a purpose,
most likely religious, and intelligent and skilled architects built them.
Who Were the Guanche People?
Studying the ancient Guanche, the supposed builders of these
controversial Tenerife pyramids, reveals some interesting insights. Many believe
the Guanche were descendents of the Berbers and came from the nearby African
continent. They worshiped a single god named Achaman who was physically
manifested in the sun. They would offer animal sacrifices and libations to Achaman.
They also worshiped and feared the volcano, Mount Teide, where they believed
Guayota, the devil, dwelt in hell.
 |
| Mount Teide, Tenerife http://www.worldtravelguide.net/spain/canary-islands/tenerife/pictures |
The Guanche also practiced mummification of their dead,
similar to the Egyptians from the 26th Dynasty. Since it was during
that era that the Phoenicians circumnavigated Africa, some theorize that
Phoenician-Egyptians either introduced mummification to the Guanche or perhaps
settled on the island themselves and later became known as Guanche[8]. (Interestingly, at one time the Egyptians also worshipped only one god, Aten, who was manifested as the sun - this lends further credit to the theories of contact between these ancient peoples.)
Were the Guanche influenced by the pyramid-building culture
of Egypt? Were the Guanche responsible for the pyramids on Mauritius as well?
If so, why do the pyramids so closely resemble those across the Atlantic in
Mesoamerica? These questions go unanswered.
Similarities on Sicily
Remarkably, the construction of the pyramids on both
Tenerife and Mauritius bear incredible resemblance to structures found on the
island of Sicily. Another volcanic island just like Tenerife and Mauritius,
Sicily is home to around 30 pyramids, though few have been documented. They
surround the active volcano, Mt. Etna, and come in various shapes and forms,
presumably with religious significance[9].
Putting the Pieces Together
Just like Thor Heyerdahl, and Dr. Semir Osmanagic, we
believe that mainstream scientists have it wrong when it comes to ancient man
and pyramid-building. But we differ greatly on our presuppositions and
conclusions. We state in The Genius of
Ancient Man:
“Since the Bible is true, the
rebellion and judgment at Babel did indeed occur and it is the source of
language, the reason for the dispersion of ancient man, and the explanation for
all the similarities in the architecture, religion, and culture around the
world”[10].
When we look at the pyramids of Mauritius and Tenerife we
see the influence of Babel – both in architecture and religion. People have
been building man-made mountains since that first tower at Babel, rejecting God
and turning to themselves. Therefore it is not surprising to find these
structures even on the small, isolated islands of the world.
 |
| Pyramid on Tenerife http://www.philipcoppens.com/nap_art12.html |
The remarkable similarities of these two islands’ pyramid
complexes testify that these builders came from the same place, were influenced
by the same people or built on both islands! This means the ancient people were traversing the oceans far earlier than
the secular timeline of history allows (read about more evidence for ancient worldwide travel) .
The theories surrounding the mysterious Gaunche people lend
some interesting background to the solstice-oriented pyramids of Tenerife and
Mauritius as well. We know that man dispersed at Babel and the myriad of people
groups and cultures grew out of that dispersion. Though cultural groups look
and act different in many respects, the similarities across civilizations are
unmistakable. Sun worship, animal sacrifices and pyramid-building are all
common around the world and relate directly back to Babel.
The influences of Babel are not relegated only to ancient
cultures. We still fight against the same Babylonian ideas today. In a world
that continually rejects the authority of God and looks to man’s own intellect
and ability, we must strive to bring everything back to the Bible. It is a
daily struggle for each and every one of us to live for God’s glory rather than
our own. (Read Babel is Not Gone for more on how the influences of Babel
have infiltrated our own society. )
[1] Gilgal,
Antoine. “Seven pyramids identified on the African island of Mauritius”. 2009.
Gilgal Research. http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/pyramides-maurice.php.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[2] Ibed.
[3] Osmanagic,
Semir. “Pyramids in Mauritius”. 2009. http://www.european-pyramids.eu/wb/pages/world-pyramids/maritius.php.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[4] Gilgal,
Antoine. “Seven pyramids identified on the African island of Mauritius”. 2009.
Gilgal Research. http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/pyramides-maurice.php.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[5] “Thor
Heyerdahl” http://www.nndb.com/people/752/000026674/.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[6] Coppens,
Philip. “The Tenerife Pyramids”. http://www.philipcoppens.com/nap_art12.html.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[7] “Colossal
lava stone pyramids in Tenerife/Canary Islands”. http://www.european-pyramids.eu/wb/pages/european-pyramids/canary-islands/tenerife.php?lang=EN.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[8] Coppens,
Philip. “The Tenerife Pyramids”. http://www.philipcoppens.com/nap_art12.html.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[9] Gilgal, Antoine.
“Pyramids in Sicily”. http://www.gigalresearch.com/uk/pyramides-sicile.php.
Accessed November 5, 2013
[10] Landis,
Don. The Genius of Ancient Man.
(Master Books, Green Forest, AR) 2012. Pg 20.
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