ANDROS PLATFORM
Introduction
The so-called Andros platform was discovered
quite recently (2003) by the diving team of Greg and Lora Little, during their
reserach on other underwater features in the Caribbean; for a more detailed
story, see
here. The information
below comes from their publications.
The Andros platform is a flat construction made out of stone elements, the
total area measuring about 400 meter by 50 meter, see picture 1. It consists
of three tiers about 15 meters wide, differing in height by about half a
meter. Each tier starts with a row of large blocks, almost square, measuring
about 10 meter by 8 meter, and half a meter thick (pictures 2, 3). The area
between these rows are filled with smaller stones, also mostly square or
rectangular (picture 5). Pictires 6-10 give some further shots. Pictures 11
and 12 are from a separate area of stone paving, on the other side of the
channel of deeper water bordering on the platform.
The gallery below gives a first impression; click on the pictures for enlargements to get a better view; however, the size of the structure is such that the underwater photographs can only give a limited impression of its grand scale (the video images made by the Little's does this better because they give a continuous view).
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Analysis
As can be seen in the pictures, the stone blocks fit quite precisely, and
most angles are rectangular. For
this to occur naturally is possible, but then it would be over a limited area,
mixed with areas where the fragments would not fit. The tier structure might
have some relation with water levels (taking the construction dates from times
where this area was near sea level), and the Little's have noticed a
similarity with ancient harbour constructions as in the Mediterranean, a
possibility strengthened by the fact that the platform is almost adjacent to a
deep water channel (see also the
satellite images of
the region). But the three tiers of different height may also be just to follow the terrain.
The scientific case for the artificiality of the structure is firstly based on the number of equally sized and rectangular stones. If one gives a certain chance of two adjacent stones having the same dimensions by accident, say 80%, this chance dimishes to 80% times 80% is about 60% for the next one, etc. It is clear that for numbers exceeding 10, the chance dimishes rapidly to low. For the number of blocks in the platform, the chance dimishes to zero for all realistic percentages one can take for two neighbouring ones. The fact that there are three rows separated at almost equal distances is more or less an icing on the cake of artificiality.
The square indention visible in picture 13 is designated by the Little's as a toolmark. For this to be more certain, there would have to be more examples (tools tend to be applied many times!). Inspired by this observation, here a survey of the available material has been done; more candidates have been found in pictures 13, 6 and 4 (the video shows some more in the same area as picture 13). A survey of pictures of other sites in the world turned up many more, see the Toolmarks gallery. The structures at these other sites, notably those in Peru, are of certain artificial origin, strengthening the chance of the Andros "toolmarks" being artificial too.
Please note that the probable artificial nature of the platform also enhances the possibility of other structures in the neighbourhood, like the Bimini road and those of Cat Island, of being artificial.
Addendum:
2004, June 19:
The research team of the A.R.E. has released
new data, with
analysis here.
To follow the line of investigation of this site, go to the
Yonaguni introduction or the
Machu Picchu
gallery, dependent of your earlier route.