The Alleged 'Bosnian Pyramids' Discovery: A Citizens' Concern
In October 2005, an amazing discovery of an ancient pyramid in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina was publicized in various international and regional media. [1]
A self-proclaimed explorer and self-styled expert for ancient civilizations (Atlantis, Mu, extraterrestrials, etc.), Mr. Sam Osmanagic [2], made a claim that he has discovered traces of 27.000 years old civilization near the town of Visoko in Bosnia and Herzegovina, asserting that the nearby hill of Visocica hides nothing less that the first European pyramid. The obvious fact that the Visocica hill has only two sides to begin with, is of no concern to him. Recently, he claimed that the area hides four more pyramids...
Soon after the initial publicizing of the alleged discovery, a heated debate emerged in the Bosnian public. Two renowned regional history professors and archaeologists, Dr. Enver Imamovic and Ms. Zilka Kujundzic-Vejzagic publicly expressed their skepticism concerning this discovery. [3] Recently, their opinion was joined with that of Dr. Blagoje Govedarica of Hamburg University. [4]
Shortly after, Mr. Osmanagic founded an organization in Visoko, Fondacija "Arheoloski park: Bosanska piramida sunca" (Foundation "Archaeological Park: Bosnian Sun Pyramid") [5]. The Foundation's statute (article 5) describes it as a nongovernmental organization tasked to explore and protect cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yet, the head of the Foundation's Committee for International Cooperation is a person currently actively serving as a high BiH government official, an advisor to the BiH Prime Minister, which is in sharp contrast to the nongovernmental description of the organization. In a very short period of time around the New Year 2006, the Foundation managed to pass a Decision in the BiH Parliament proclaiming the Visocica area of special governmental interest. The Foundation has also confirmed that they will be receiving official financial support from various levels of government (municipal, cantonal and federal) for their further activities in the Visocica area. The Foundation's five-year plan also reveals that they will ask for the enlargement of the special government interest area in the future, which opens concerns about the remains of the medieval castle of Visoki (where Bosnian kings used to occupy their throne) in the immediate vicinity, as well as other historical sites there, such as remains of Neolithic settlements being excavated by a group of German archaeologists. [6] These archaeologists were never consulted about the new discovery in the area.
The Foundation has so far published several reports and documents, as well as numerous photos, about the initial excavations and geological and satellite surveys. These reports and images reveal that the found sandstone slabs do not qualify as pyramid megaliths. Furthermore, remains of human skeletons were found between the slabs. This evidence, although interpreted by the Foundation as supporting the 'pyramid' discovery, indeed indicates and supports the opinion of Professor Imamovic - that it is a location of a necropolis, known as such for some sixty years. This raises fear that true archaeological evidence has been and could again be suppressed, misinterpreted or even destroyed by continuing activities of the Foundation.
The Foundation staff does not include one single archaeologist experienced and familiar enough with the issues of Bosnian history and archaeology. Some of the Foundation's Committee officials are, in fact, people more known for their search for UFO than for any klix concern for the real issues of the regional historical heritage. The methods and results used and obtained so far in the course of the Foundation's research have not been verified by any other independent expert body or institution - geological and satellite surveys of the area were made by people who are members of the Foundation and were, therefore, paid by the Foundation to do so. The Foundation has not yet established any cooperation with the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Furthermore, methods of the Foundation's search for experts to participate in the announced spring excavations continuation raises further concern. The Foundation has, on two occasions, informed the public that experienced and well known foreign archaeologists will come to Bosnia to participate in these excavations. The mention of an Australian archaeologist - in one interview with Mr. Osmanagic presented as a Royce Richards, and in another as a Richard Royce [7] - has even reached Australian media [8]; however, there is no evidence that this person even exists. [9] This also raises concerns about the manipulation of the public opinion and knowledge about this significant matter.
Given the previous evidence of rich historical heritage of this area - klix from Neolithic to medieval periods and published in numerous scientific papers and books - and the proximity of the medieval town of Visoki [10], there may be a possibility that this discovery revealed remains that could have true archaeological value for Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, actions taken so far by the Foundation, their interpretation and treatment of the finds and further insisting on the 'pyramid' theory raise serious concerns not only about their capability to handle such a discovery, but about nature of their intentions, too.
As stated in the Foundation's statute (articles 6 and 7), their intended field of operations is not just the Visoko area, but Bosnia and Herzegovina in general. This is a precedent aimed at smothering civilization values in Bosnia, one that could mark the beginning of a Taliban era in Bosnia.
These concerns have been extensively discussed for the past three months on a public web forum, where some of the persons associated with the Foundation also made appearance. [11] They have expressed hostility towards and passed threats on to participants who gave evidence and interpretations of the finds other than fitting the 'pyramid' theory. They also categorically refused to answer any scientific questions related to the nature of the discovery. In due course of the discussion over the past several months, indications appeared that the Foundation and its members could be associated with a political structure of a former Bosnian war-lord from the region of Visoko, now a member of the Parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina. For reasons related to personal safety and fear from retaliation, we as a group of 'pyramid skeptics' chose to remain anonymous for now, but have launched this web site expressing our concerns about this matter. [12]
In this manner, it is also our intention to inform about this issue as many international institutions, experts and archaeologists, as possible.
Sign the Petition Now -
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/NoPyramidsInBosnia
After you are done signing the Petition, would you care to take time and let know relevant institutions, media, and your friends and colleagues about the ongoing vandalism in Bosnia? For instance, you could issue a press release through your institution, contact the cultural attaché of your Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina...
Any action is welcome, no action means green light to vandalism in Bosnia!
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The above (fully referenced) open letter can be found at
http://peticija.white.prohosting.com/
@ludost , hvala za pismo -malo je potrajalo dok je znanje sve pregledao

za onaj odgovor mu možeš poslati privatnu poruku ,ja nisam baš prava osoba za to!
poziv za sugestije i priloge je i dalje otvoren! ovo se odnosi i na sve sadašnje ili bivše članove fondacije koja rastura arheološko blago BiH- pridružite nam se u plemenitoj akciji i dostavite svaku informaciju koja bi pomogla u raskrinkavanju prevare zvane "piramida"! 