The giant megaliths discovered in Siberia
In 1876, in the volume "The Early Dawn of Civilization" published by the Victoria Institute, Journal of the Transactions, written by John Eliot Howard:
"In 1876, in Soviet Turkestan in Siberia, Thomas Witlam Atkinson traveled through the steppes, and arrived in a valley surrounded by cliffs where a river flows. There he discovered on a plain 5 enormous stone blocks, the largest measuring over 22 meters in height, 7 meters wide on one side and 5 meters on another, with the other 4 gigantic blocks ranging between 13 and 15 meters in height and sides about 4.5 meters. The 5 monoliths are immense, and the weight of the largest ones has been estimated at around 3800 tons. They are undoubtedly the largest monoliths ever seen. This place is called the 'Tombs of the Genii', and no one knows their origins; their shapes are known through the only drawing that shows the description given by Thomas Witlam Atkinson."
After this article, nothing more will be known about the megaliths. The only image of them is a drawing by Atkinson himself, published in his book 'Travels in the Region of the Upper and Lower Amoor'.
Regarding the dimensions of the monoliths, they would be colossal in proportion to the horse drawn next to one of the monoliths. There are only scant reports confirming the current existence of the monoliths; the largest one descends into the ground for twelve meters and is twenty-three meters tall, located near the Kora River in the former Soviet republic of Turkestan, Siberia. The monoliths demonstrate advanced engineering for their extraction, transport, and erection.
If the existence of the Siberian monoliths were confirmed, they would be the largest in the world.
Thomas Witlam Atkinson, author of the book "Travels in the Region of the Upper and Lower Amoor," wrote:
“About three miles further up the valley we came upon a spot where an avalanche had swept over these terraces, forming a great gap, by tearing up the rocks and hurling them into a vast heap. This mass spread over more than a mile in length, and the rocks were piled up 900 to 1,000 feet, appearing as if balf a mountain had been thrown from above. A little beyond this place, the cliffs on the north jut out nearly to the centre of the valley, terminating in high crags, which in some parts overhang their base considerably. As I passed round these, a most savage scene presented itself to me. The forest on the south side had been torn up by a terrible storm,—naked trunks with their branches wrenched off reared their shattered forms, and thousands of trees were lying strewn about in every direction. Here was seen the effect of a hurricane that had uprooted huge trees like stubble. Far beyond this scene of devastation rose the snowy chain of the Ac-tau, its vast peaks towering into the deep blue vault in sublime grandeur.
Having travelled onward several miles, I arrived at a part of the valley where the Kora makes a bend toward the cliffs on the north, leaving a space of about 200 yards in width, between the base of the rocks and the river. As I approached this spot, I was almost induced to believe that the works of the Giants were before me, for five enormous stones were standing isolated and on end, the first sight of which gave me the idea that their disposition was not accidental, and that a master mind had superintended the erection, — the group being in perfect keeping with the scene around. One of these blocks would have made a tower large enough for a church, its height being 76 feet above the ground, and it measured 21 feet on one side and 19 feet on the other. It stood 73 paces from the base of the cliffs, and was about 8 feet out of the perpendicular, inclining towards the river. The remaining four blocks varied from 45 to 50 feet in height, one being 15 feet square and the rest somewhat less. Two of these stood upright, the others were leaning in different directions, one of them so far that it had nearly lost its equilibrium.
A sixth mass of still larger dimensions was lying half buried in the ground; on this, some young picta trees had taken root and were growing luxuriantly. About two hundred yards to the eastward, three other blocks were lying, and beneath one was a cavity many a family in Kopal would have considered a splendid dwelling. Not far from these stood a pile of stones undoubtedly the work of man, as a great quantity of quartz blocks had been used, with other materials, in its construction. It was circular, 42 feet in diameter and 28 feet high, shaped like a dome: a circle oi quartz blocks had been formed on the ground, sy enclosing a space ten feet wide all round the tomb. Finding such a tumulus in this valley, surprised me greatly; it could not have been the grave of a chief of the present race, but was as ancient as those I had found on the steppe.
My Kirghis companions looked on this place with feelings of dread, and on the tomb with veneration. Each left a strip ^ of his garment on the grave as an offering to the soul of the departed. Their proceeding excited my curiosity; and from one of them, "Tursun," who believes himself a descendant of Genghiz, I obtained the following tradition. The word Kora implies sealed or locked.
"The valley of the Kora was once inhabited by several powerful Genii, who had a continual feud with others of their race, in the different regions of the Tarbagatai, the Barluck, and the Gobi. They frequently ravaged the nations or tribes subject to their brethren of the north, and always retreated to the Kora in security. Many towering crags commanded the region, enabling the guards to perceive their advancing enemies afar off; and the vigilant sentinels tioned on these watch-towers rendered the position impregnable. The approaching legions were lured into the rugged mountain passes, and there either overpowered or destroyed by huge blocks hurled from the crags above. At length their audacity and cruelty became so great that a combination was formed to wreak a fearful vengeance upon them; and Shaitan was invoked to aid in their destruction. "As usual, the advancing bodies were quickly discovered, and measures taken to destroy them in the pass. Shortly two other vast legions were seen marching towards different gorges; and now all the forces of the beleaguered Genii were brought up to annihilate these hosts. The battle was terrific; and the mountains resounded with the din of war; while the crashing of the avalanches hurled into the gorges shook the mighty peaks above. Victory seemed secure to the Genii; when, at the very moment of their success, an appalling sound was heard in the upper regions, causing the mountains to tremble. Suddenly a cloud of smoke and flame burst forth reaching to mid-heaven; red lightning darted from the vapour, and the thunder found an echo in every peak and valley. Amidst this tremendous uproar, "hell's artillery" belched forth red-hot rocks, causing fearful destruction to the legions of the Kora. In these appalling sounds the Genii recognised the power of Darkness; and, becoming panic-struck, they were driven back into the valley, whither no one had yet dared to follow. The conquering legions now poured on, with Shaitan leading the van, when, on the brink of the precipices, vast rocks were hurled down, crushing and entombing the Genii beneath."
After this terrible event the Kora was sealed for ages, but the tradition was handed down from sire to son.
"At length a daring chief determined to visit the valley and take up his abode there, in spite of the remonstrance of his family and friends. Attended by a number of his followers, he crossed the mountains, descended to the Kora,and encamped on the enchanted ground. The yourts were pitched, the animals slain for the festival, and his followers seated themselves around him, exulting in the prowess of their Sultan who had ventured to lead them to this mysterious spot. When in the height of their revels, a loud crash of thunder rolled through the valley, and echoed among the crags. Suddenly, and. before the sounds had died away, a Genii appeared, terrible in his rage."
Thomas Witlam Atkinson was born in Yorkshire in 1799 and was a renowned artist, painting teacher, and notable architect. He is the author of the drawing accompanying the news. Architect Atkinson began traveling in 1840 with his wife, crossing the Urals, from 1848 to 1853 Eastern Europe, Eastern Russia, Siberia and Kyrgyzstan arriving in 1849 in China and Mongolia.
Atkinson documented his travels with over 600 drawings and watercolors. In 1858, he published a volume containing a collection of his diaries and topographical drawings of Siberia and Mongolia. He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society in 1858, and the following year of the Geological Society.
