Bosnian pyramid claims

Visočica hill
Plješevica hill

The Bosnian pyramid claims are pseudoarchaeological[1] theories put forward to explain the formation of a cluster of natural hills in the area of Visoko in central Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2] Since 2005,[2][3] Semir Osmanagić, a Bosnian-American businessman[2] based in Houston, Texas,[4] has claimed that these hills are the largest human-made ancient pyramids on Earth. His claims have been overwhelmingly refuted by scientists but he has proceeded to promote the area as a tourist attraction.[2][5][6]

Direct study of the site by geologists, archaeologists, and other scientists has demonstrated that the hills are natural formations known as flatirons,[5] and that there is no evidence that they were shaped by human construction.[7][6][8] The European Association of Archaeologists has condemned the so-called "Bosnian pyramids" as a "cruel hoax"; along with various other scholars[2] they are also concerned about damage being done to genuine archaeological and paleontological sites:[2] a medieval Bosnian castle,[2] Roman fortifications, and other ancient remains.[9] Osmanagić initiated excavations in 2006 and has since reshaped one of the hills, making it look like a stepped pyramid.[10][11] The academic community has called for the government to end funding of excavations and disruption of the site because of the damage to true archaeological resources.[12][5][13]

Many scholars have noted that the claims have been used for serious ideological, political and economic gains by various factions in Bosnia. Although Osmanagić's claims have been completely disproved by the scientific community, the Visoko area in recent years has attracted pseudoscience enthusiasts; the so-called Bosnian pyramids and the Ravne tunnels have been morphed into "New Age pilgrimage sites".[2] By June 2016, Osmanagić had completed an "archaeological park" at one of the hills, where he attracts volunteers who are constructing botanical gardens; meditation sessions have been held at the site.[4] It has been noted that tourist traffic has aided the economy of the city of Visoko, located near the front of the war that destroyed so much of the country in the late 20th century.[4] As of 2017, Osmanagić continued to make alterations to the hills and add to his marketing about them. His work at the time was based on private funding.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference balkanologie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Hammer, Olav; Swartz, Karen (May 2020). "The Bosnian Pyramid Phenomenon" (PDF). Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. 23 (4). Berkeley: University of California Press: 94–110. doi:10.1525/nr.2020.23.4.94. S2CID 218928395. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. ^ Cerkez-Robinson, Aida (3 December 2005). "Pyramid on a New Horizon?". The New Mexican. Vol. 156, no. 337. Santa Fe, New Mexico. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Sito-Sudic, Daria (4 August 2016). Melander, Ingrid; Heneghan, Tom (eds.). "Bosnian 'Indiana Jones' digs for controversy again with park". Reuters.
  5. ^ a b c Woodard, Colin (December 2009). "The Pyramid Man:The Mystery of Bosnia's Ancient Pyramids". Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian Institution. 40:9.
  6. ^ a b Harding, Anthony Harding (January–February 2007). Pitts, Mike (ed.). "The great Bosnian pyramid scheme". British Archaeology. No. 92. Council for British Archaeology. ISSN 1357-4442. Archived from the original on 2007-07-12. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
  7. ^ Schoch, Robert; Dowell, Colette (October 2006). Taylor, Gregg (ed.). "Pyramid No More" (PDF). Sub Rosa. No. 6. The Daily Grail. pp. 6–9.
  8. ^ Bohannon, John (22 September 2006). "Mad About Pyramids" (PDF). Science. 313 (5794). AAAS: 1718–1720. doi:10.1126/science.313.5794.1718. PMID 16990525. S2CID 161209455.
  9. ^ Declaration from the European Association of Archaeologists Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, 11 Dec 2006
  10. ^ Woodard, C. (2007) "The Great Pyramids of…Bosnia?", Chronicle of Higher Education. vol. 53 no 30, pp. A12–A18. March 30, 2007.
  11. ^ Pruitt, T. (2012a) "Performance, Participation and Pyramids: Addressing Meaning and Method Behind Alternative Archaeology in Visoko, Bosnia". in A. Simandiraki and E. Stefanou, eds., pp. 20–32, From Archaeology to Archaeologies: the 'Other' Past’., BAR International Series no. 2409. Archaeopress, Oxford, England. ISBN 978-1407310077
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Guardian2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).