The Yamashita Treasure was rumoured to have been looted by the Japanese Imperial Army in 1944.

It was then thought to be hidden in more than 145 underground tunnels and caves in the Phillippines before Japan’s surrender in 1945.

Some experts claim there is no evidence of the fabled gold and priceless jewels looted under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

But a new video has emerged that appears to show the mysterious treasure trove being uncovered.

 

A number of men are seen scouring a water-filled cave in the Phillippines when they stumble across what appears to be stacks of gold bars.

They start removing the mud from the blocks – which were said to be booby-trapped with explosives.

At one point, one of the divers puts on “gas mask” – suggesting toxic fumes or weapons are in the vicinity.

More than 160,000 people have viewed the clip since it was posted on YouTube on Monday.

Anthropologist Piers Kelly has dismissed the existence of the valuables, however.

 

He told International Business Times: “Tales of buried gold, silver and generic treasure are recounted throughout the Philippines.