The Bosnian Pyramids

 
The controversy around the Bosnyan Pyramids continues, after the initial reactions of researchers that have indicated they are not built by man, now appear more data and studies that indicate that in fact we might be in the way to see the first European Piramedes. We will expose the two theories in a simple and direct form, leaving space for the reader to draw his own conclusions.

The Natural formation Theory

Flying Over The Bosnian Pyramids

The term Bosnian pyramids has been used for a cluster of natural geological formations sometimes known as flatirons near the Bosnia and Herzegovina town of Visoko, northwest of Sarajevo. The hill named Visočica became the focus of international attention in October 2005 following a news-media campaign promoting the idea that they are human-made and the largest ancient pyramids on Earth.
Scientific investigations of the site show that the so-called pyramids are natural formations and that there are no signs of human building involved. Additionally, scientists have criticised the Bosnian authorities for supporting the pyramid claim saying, "This scheme is a cruel hoax on an unsuspecting public and has no place in the world of genuine science."
The 213-metre (699 ft) Visočica hill, upon which the Old town of Visoki was once sited, is roughly pyramid-shaped. The idea that it constitutes an ancient artificial edifice was publicised by Bosnian author and metalworker Semir Osmanagić. His subsequent excavations at the site have uncovered what he claims to be a paved entrance plateau and tunnels, as well as stone blocks and ancient mortar which he has suggested once covered the structure. Osmanagić has claimed that the dig involved an international team of archaeologists from Australia, Austria, Ireland, Scotland and Slovenia. However, many archaeologists he named have stated they had not agreed to participate and were never at the site. The dig began in April 2006, and has involved reshaping the hill to make it look like a Mayan step pyramid.

 

Osmanagić's interpretation

Semir Osmanagić

Osmanagić has named Visočica hill the "Pyramid of the Sun", and two nearby hills, identified from satellite and aerial photography, the "Pyramid of the Moon" and the "Pyramid of the (Bosnian) Dragon" (another two, "Pyramid of the Earth" and "Pyramid of Love" have been mentioned in reports). Newspaper reports have quoted Osmanagić as claiming that they were constructed by ancient Illyrian inhabitants of the Balkans as early as 12,000 BC. But in an interview with Philip Coppens in Nexus (April-May 2006), Osmanagić attempted to clarify his previous statements, stating he was misquoted: he does claim that they were most likely constructed by the Illyrians, who he claims lived in the area from 12,000 BC to 500 BC, and that the pyramid was therefore most likely constructed between those two dates - not in 12,000 BC.
Osmanagić claims the excavation has produced evidence of building blocks as well as tunnels. Additionally Osmanagić claims to have found tunnels in the hillside which he interprets as ventilation shafts.
Osmanagić believes his discoveries around Visoko will have further implications for world prehistory. By comparing the varying heights of the tallest pyramids in Mexico and Egypt with Visočica hill, he concluded that the pyramids were all built by the same people, with the Bosnian Pyramid being the last to be built. However, upon further thought he has decided that this dating mechanism may not be reliable and has now announced Visočica hill could be "The mother of all Pyramids", a claim he says would be corroborated by the existence of sacred geometry and further numerological study of messages left in the pyramid for future generations.
Osmanagić estimates that the Sun pyramid stands 722 feet (220 m) high (or, depending upon the report, either 230 feet (70 m) high or 328 feet (100 m) high). If it is 722 feet, it would be one third taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, making it the largest pyramidal structure on Earth.
The current target of the project is to complete excavation by 2012. This is in order to "break a cloud of negative energy, allowing the Earth to receive cosmic energy from the centre of the galaxy" according to Osmanagić,who also hopes that it will be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scientific explanations
Osmanagić's claims, widely reported in the mass media, have been challenged by a number of experts, who have accused him of promoting pseudo-scientific notions and damaging archaeological sites with his excavations. Amar Karapus, a curator at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, said "When I first read about the pyramids I thought it was a very funny joke. I just couldn't believe that anyone in the world could believe this." Penn State University Professor Garrett Fagan is quoted as saying "They should not be allowed to destroy genuine sites in the pursuit of these delusions[...] It’s as if someone were given permission to bulldoze Stonehenge to find secret chambers of lost ancient wisdom underneath."
Boston University's Curtis Runnels, an expert in prehistoric Greece and the Balkans states that, "Between 27,000 and 12,000 years ago, the Balkans were locked in the last Glacial maximum, a period of very cold and dry climate with glaciers in some of the mountain ranges. The only occupants were Upper Paleolithic hunters and gatherers who left behind open-air camp sites and traces of occupation in caves. These remains consist of simple stone tools, hearths, and remains of animals and plants that were consumed for food. These people did not have the tools or skills to engage in the construction of monumental architecture."
Enver Imamović of the University of Sarajevo, a former director of the National Museum of Sarajevo, concerned that the excavations will damage historic sites such as the medieval royal capital Visoki, said that the excavations would "irreversibly destroy a national treasure". Excavations by archaeologists not related to the Foundation in the summer of 2008 uncovered medieval artefacts and led to renewed calls for the government to cancel Osmanagić's digging permits.
In a letter to the editor of The Times on 25 April 2006, Professor Anthony Harding, president of the European Association of Archaeologists, referred to Osmanagić's theories as "wacky" and "absurd" and expressed concern that insufficient safeguards were in place to protect Bosnia's "rich heritage" from "looting and unmonitored or unauthorised development". After visiting the site himself, Harding reported, "we saw areas of natural stone (a breccia), with fissures and cracks; but no sign of anything that looked like archaeology."
On 8 May 2006, members of the Geological team investigating Visočica on behalf of the Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation held a press conference in Tuzla to present the results of their research. The academics, from the Faculty of Mining and Geology at the University of Tuzla and led by Professor Dr. Sejfudin Vrabac, concluded that the hill is a natural geological formation, made of clastic sediments of layered composition and varying thickness, and that its shape is a consequence of endodynamical and exodynamical processes in the post-Miocene era.
According to Professor Vrabac, who specializes in paleogeology, there are dozens of similar morphological formations in the Sarajevo-Zenica mining basin alone. The Geological team report on Visocica, based on the data collected in six drill holes at 3 to 17 metre depths, is supported by the Research and Teaching Council of the Faculty of Mining and Geology, as well as the Association of Geologists of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In June 2006, Zahi Hawass's name became linked to the excavations as recommending a supposed expert, Aly Abd Alla Barakat, to investigate the hills. Upon being contacted Hawass denied any involvement, accusing Osmanagić of "giving out false information", and clarifying that Barakat "knows nothing about Egyptian pyramids".
The Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation has said that Barakat inspected the hills and stated, "My opinion is that this is a type of pyramid, probably a primitive pyramid." In November 2007 an English version of a 2006 report by Barakat was posted on the foundation site. Osmanagić also invited geologist and alternative archaeologist Robert Schoch to visit the site. In a preliminary report he concluded that there were natural geological explanations for all the features claimed to be artificial by Osmanagić. In the case of the tunnels he further added:"The much-touted “ancient inscriptions” seem not to be ancient at all. I was told by a reliable source that the inscriptions were not there when members of the “pyramid team” initially entered the tunnels less than two years ago. The “ancient inscriptions” had been added since, perhaps non-maliciously, or perhaps as a downright hoax. Schoch's website documents "extreme damage being done by the way the excavations are being performed," and accuses Osmanagić of launching "a deliberate smear campaign."
In 2007 a report by Egyptologist Nabil Mohamed Abdel Swelim was publicised by the Archaeological Park which said that the Pyramid of the Sun was the world's largest pyramid. After two visits to Visoko he released a report in 2007 in which he concluded: “Arguments in favor or in disfavor have no effect on the fact that the pyramid concept and the properties are there for everyone to see”. However, in 2010 he released a report in which he clarified that he does not claim it is a man-made pyramid, but rather that he uses the term for any feature, natural or artificial, which is a geometric pyramid


Supporting The Man Made Pyramid Theory

Artifical conglomerate blocks at Visocica placed one above another

Fine sandstone casing at Visocica, detail

Concrete layers composing the pyramid walls, detail

Footprint in the concrete found in the escavations

Bosnia's Sun Pyramid: The Concrete Pyramid Theory Confirmed! 

Bosnian Pyramids - New Evidence 2010

New laboratory analysis confirmed that Bosnia’s Sun Pyramid is made out of artificial concrete

Work at Pljesevica Hill revealed more stone tiles which are covering the Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon.

Recent results from independent laboratory analysis achieved by Italy’s Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino – POLITO) confirmed that the samples of sandstone and conglomerate blocks taken last summer at Bosnia’s Sun Pyramid is ancient concrete made with artificially (man-made) aggregates.

In the new analysis made by the Chemistry Department of the POLITO both chemical and diffractometry analysis confirmed that the concrete material consists in inert material with a binding material that seems similar to Roman concrete.

The laboratory analysis also revealed that the sandstone samples collected from the covering of the concrete layers (the outer casing) of Bosnia's Sun Pyramid have the same composition of the concrete itself. The only difference consists in the inert material used for its manufacturing which results much smaller (fine-grained).

Outside walls of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun made of the concrete conglomerate blocks, Northern side, July 2008

The report also says that the binding aggregates of the concrete (incl. the sandstone---casing) seem to be made by high temperature heating of clay (kaolinite and muscovite) and limestone materials (dolomite and calcite) which is typical for the chemical binding process that transforms those minerals into concrete-like binding material.

Photo: Sandal/shoe footprint left in the concrete material by ancient pyramid builders

After the Kemal Kapetanovic Institute from the University in Zenica and the French Geopolymer Institute leaded by Prof. Dr. Joseph Davidovits, another independent and renown institution confirmed the use of artifical  materials for the construction of the Bosnian pyramids.

Concrete blocks on the Northern side of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun

Digging at location No. 20 is the most visited by tourists at the moment

If we see there are two kinds of blocks. One looks like construction plates with clear edges and sides another looks like monolith line of concrete or something similar to concrete.
Pyramid of the Sun is the most interesting object because many factors and features prove pyramid theory. 

- seismic analysis
- radar and geo-radar
- archaeology
- geology 

Energetic Fields of the Bosnian Pyramids

Dr. Aly Barakat, the geologist from Cairo researched all surroundings of the Sun pyramid for some weeks and he didn’t find something which can be similar with the blocks of the Sun pyramid anywhere. The Construction material of the Sun pyramid is very unusual and untypical for natural process, therefore dr. Barakat came to conclusion that Visocica (Sun pyramid) is a natural hill shaped by man and covered by stone blocks thousands years ago. Whereas Semir Osmanagic and his team continue to consider that all pyramid is constructed from the blocks. In fact that only a few area of colossal monument was cleared from soil and vegetation, the techniques couldn’t look into a deep of the pyramid to see what is located inside. Therefore it can be real that all pyramid of the Sun is consisted from the blocks.

Tunnels Under the Pyramid of the Sun

 

Deep in the tunnels under the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun, expert miners from the nearby Tuzla mine, who were the first to explore these underground areas, found ventilation holes.

The oxygen level all throughout the tunnels is around 20%, which is more or less the optimal percentage for unobstructed continuation of the tunnel explorations. It shows a great deal of planning that went into this project and also the engineering skills that the builders of this structure had.

Two large (approx 5 tons in weight), man made, round sand-blocks were found in the tunnels. The team is working on digging out these pieces after which they will take photos and send for analysis. These sand-blocks could be the first related archeological artifacts found.
Stalactites, the icicle-shaped mineral deposits are found hanging from the roof of some parts of the tunnel. These stalactites will help the researches get a better idea of the age of the tunnels.
In the tunnels there are several 90 degree intersections which are parallel to the sides of the world: east -west, north-south. It is evident that the construction of this object was a large engineering challenge.

The Bosnyan Pyramids Foundation has been constantly working since 2006 removing the debris from the network of the underground tunnels at Ravne and under the KTK-factory in Visoko town. The Foundation's primary goal was to construct the supporting beams within the main tunnel that leads to the Pyramid of the Sun (about 2.5 km) which will enable the Foundation's team to enter the pyramid.

During the year 2007, the Foundation's team has found a network of  tunnels and intersections, leading from the main tunnel. Their purpose is unknown. They are closed with dry walls. Not only one, but many side tunnels, all sealed by dry walls. Why? Most of these tunnels will be left untouched, meaning the removal of the debris and the stone walls which are closing the tunnels will be done later on, after the entry into the pyramid. 

However, the mysteries have not been solved yet:

• who made these tunnels?
• Who and why were they closing the preexisting network of the side passageways, the intersections;
• what did they want to hide? What is this secret about from the distant past?

There are several megalithic blocks found within the main tunnel leading from Ravne toward the Pyramid of the Sun. They were left on the original locations where they were found for further archaeological analysis.

entrance to Ravne tunnel

side tunnel in genuine status

dry wall closing the side tunnel

stalagtites in Ravne tunnel 2900ys.old

monolith Ravne with inscriptions

 Artefact found in KTK tunnel

There exists a drawing of underground water ponds inside Visocica hill. These water ponds have been detected from outside by ultrasound measurements. The existence of caves and cavities has also been confirmed by scientific measurements.


But will there be a man-made chamber? Or a tomb of ancient times? The digging goes on . Tons of debris and gravel will be removed until the excavation team reaches these cavities.

Ravne Tunnels: Finally! A Breakthrough.

 By Dr.sci. Sam Semir Osmanagić

Photo: Archaeologist Sara Acconci and Semir Osmanagic inside the newly discovered tunnel sectionBy Dr.sci. Sam Semir Osmanagić

It’s been almost five years since I first entered underground tunnel "Ravne". At that time, it was called a "cave". There was a small ½ meter entrance and one shallow tunnel which ended after 130 meters. That was a time when I announced to the World discovery of the first European pyramids in Visoko: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun and Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon.

This was a one-man project in 2005 with me paying for all costs and analysis.

Based on my experiences with the pyramids in China (Shaanxi province), Mexico (Teotihuacan) and Giza (Saqqara and Giza), I knew that we would discover labyrinth under the Bosnian pyramids. That’s exactly what I wrote in my book about the pyramids discovery in October, 2005. My hypothesis was faced with a lot of skepticism and unpleasant labels by university professors from Sarajevo and elsewhere.

So, when I entered "a cave" for the first time it was obvious to me that it was a man-made construction. I decided to start archaeological work inside. We’ve been cleaning existing tunnels ever since. Instead of one small tunnel we realized that a whole underground network of tunnels and chambers is hidden 5-25 meters underground.

Two mysteries have followed us from the beginning: who built this huge network and who and why sealed off all side tunnels?

Photo: Masssive sidewalls of the new tunnel section, detailNamely, all tunnels were filled up with river bed material (rocks, pebbles, sand, clay) and then sealed up with the drywalls.

Some of the experts who came to Visoko, such as geologists Robert Schoch from Boston and El Anbaawy from Cairo, claimed that this network was water-made. Bosnian geologists from Tuzla who never came to visit the tunnels talked about the coal mining facility. Bosnian archaeologist Enver Imamovic thought it was Roman gold mine. Museum curator Zilka Kujundzic mentioned possibility of Yugoslav Army hide outs. People from Visoko thought that this was a Middle Age escape tunnel for Bosnian kings and Queen Katarina.

Well, they were all wrong.

As I hypothesized, this was a pre-historical underground labyrinth that connect all pyramids and other places of interests. Radiocarbon analysis that we performed in Sweden (University of Upsala), Germany (Kiel University) and Poland (Gliwice Institute) have shown the age older than any other known advance culture on Bosnian soil (3.091-5.080 years).

Photo: Drywall, detailBut, real challenge for our team was the fact that we needed to choose correct tunnel that will lead us to the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun. We managed to do that using compass and topographical maps. At the same time we had to remove hundreds of tons of fill up material and make this place safe for researchers and visitors.

We've spent tens of thousands of working hours cleaning and securing the tunnels in a period December, 2006 – December, 2010. Length of 400 meters have been secured by the wooden support. Considering the fact that we had another 90% or 2,5 kilometers to the pyramid I was ready to patiently work another 30 years until I get to the largest pyramid on the Planet.

Summer of 2010 was very successful. We had 500 volunteers from 30 countries who worked with us. Some of them helped us discover the underground chambers (50 sq.m., 30 sq.m. and 20 sq.m.) and first underground lake. It gave new elements to this underground structure.

Month of November we spent cleaning the third underground chamber. From this chamber we could see six sealed side tunnels leading to different directions. I decided to move forward going South, which is a way to Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun.

Photo: Wall corner, detailAnd then, on November 30th, moment of excitement and surprise.

After we removed two drywalls in front of us and several tons of fill up material, we discovered the hole in the wall. We widened the hole. It was dark.

We entered inside. On the other side, there was another drywall and several tons of fill up material.

But, further to the left and to the right we noticed clean tunnels going in two directions, South and North. No fill up material. Height at the intersection was 2,5 meters.

We moved forward, first North. The ceiling came lower, to 1,3 meters. In front of us there was a half-circled tunnel with no visible end. Tunnel was filled with 20-30 cm of water. Width of the tunnel was same everywhere. We moved through the water. It was exceptional feeling.

Human foot has not entered this tunnel for thousands of years!

On both sides of the walls, we could notice drywalls and more sealed side tunnels. But, the one we were walking on, was completely free and clean. In one area, on side walls, we could notice layer of clay. Somebody used the tools to remove clay to get the same width of the tunnel.

Photo: Drywall obstructing another tunnel ramification, detailWe came back and started walking in the tunnel that lead to the South which is a direction of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun. It was even more exciting. We discovered untouched longest drywalls so far. They were made perfectly. Bottom end completely match the top raw.

What a craftsmanship!

It would be extremely hard to make something similar today without mortar. Height in this section rose to 2 meters. We walked 150 meters in Northern direction and over 200 meters in Southern direction.

No obstacles in front of us. Everything is open!

Is it possible that we discovered the main tunnel? If this is a case, it was well hidden and secured from the outside world. We had to remove thousand tons of material to get there.

What if this tunnel leads directly to the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun? It is possible because it has a good direction.

Even if we find more sealed sections in front of us and we need to remove more material, we still saved years of work. At least five hundred meters free of fill up material that we discovered a few days ago is a breakthrough that we needed.

Foundation’s leading archaeologist dr. Sara Acconci flew from Milan, Italy to Visoko and started to document this discovery.

Photo: Massive square stone block built into the sidewall, detail 

We made a plan to start working on Southern section and leave Northern section in original state. We will need to pump water out, remove the dirt and mud, and than secure the ceilings with wooden support.

Mayor of town of Visoko came first day to visit us. He was delighted. Local TV followed. Next day we had a state TV. Major Serbian TV showed up, as well…

We’re looking for exciting winter here in the Bosnian Valley of the Pyramids.

Bosnyan Pyramids 2010

Visoko (Bosnia) Tunnel, 2010 - IV volunteer shift

artifacts and more conclusive evidence