Nexus - 0228 - New Times Magazine-pages

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streams of lead engulfed the pyramid, the ceiling depicted the sky, Schroder estimated the tallest one measured 300 metres high, its and the ground showed the expanse of the Empire. Crossbows sides 500 metres long. This would mean this pyramid was the were aimed at trespassers—a burglar alarm which wasn't that suc- _largest in the world, twice as large as the Great Pyramid at Gizeh. cessful, as General Hiang Yu was able to loot the pyramid in 207 The volume was 20 times as large as the Great Pyramid at Gizeh. BC. ; Both were built north-south/west-east. The Segalen mission revealed more "In the past, they were apparently pyramids and tombs along the River partly covered with stones, but those Wei. These were dated to the Han have disappeared. A few stones lie at period, following that of Emperor When questioned, Bogdo the bottom. It is an earthen pyramid, Che Houang-ti, As these were rela- with giant gullies on its sides. They tively recent pyramids, the scientists believed it was at least 5 ,000 were the reason why the stones loos- did want to entertain the notion that ened and fell down. Its sides are now these “burial hills" might be “pyra- years old. Their ancient records partially covered with trees and mids”, but, as mentioned, there were claimed that even then the shrubbage. It almost looks a natural rumours of taller and more ancient \ * a hill. We rode around the pyramid, ones. pyramids were ‘old A but did not discover any stairways or In 1912, Fred Meyer Schroder and doors.” e- Oscar Maman travelled to Shensi. When questioned, Bogdo believed They not only dealt in tobacco and it was at least 5,000 years old. Their candles but also supplied the ancient records claimed that even Mongolians with weapons. Their guide then the pyramids were “old”. along the Chinese-Mongolian border was a monk, Bogdo ("the A US Air Force map detailing the area around the city of Xian, holy one"), who told them they would soon stumble upon some _ made with the use of satellite photographs, shows at least 16 pyra- ancient pyramids. Though he himself had never seen them, he mids. Xian, the ancient Sian-Fu, presently inhabited by more than knew some could be found around the old town of Sian-Fu. — six million souls, is much older than Peking (Beijing). Once it “Mountains as high as the sky. They are no ordinary burial _ was the capital of the Empire: it was recognised as the umbilicus vaults, though emperors or empresses might be buried inside." _ of China's civilisation. Bogdo knew seven pyramids had been discovered. Hartwig Hausdorf and his company of fellow travellers landed 34 © NEXUS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1995