The First Pyramids Found in Europe (Bosnia): Hoax or Fact?

In a small, heart-shaped country in Southeastern Europe lies a mystery about a comlex of pyramidal-shaped hills that, if authenticated as man-made and to contain human-made structures, could be the largest pyramids found on the European continent- possibly larger and older than the Egyptian pyramids of Giza.

In 2005, in a Bosnian town of Visoko, a Bosnian-American archaeologist Dr. Semir Osmanagic was curious about the “unnatural shaped” formations of the hills that surrounded and encompassed the grandeur of the town. Osmanagic’s career had centered around investigating and researching the history of ancient pyramids all over the world- particularly in Latin America. While visiting Visoko one day, a realization suddenly hit him that the hills he’s seen many times before-hand looked very much like the vegetation-covered pyramids of Mexico and Latin America. He particularly believed that the hills resembled the the 1,800-year-old pyramids at Teotihuacan, located right outside of Mexico City. Upon further inspection of the hills in a video he made from a helicopter, Osmanagic knew he was dealing with something far more complex, fascinating and ground-breaking beyond the natural magnificence that characterizes the hills.

What Osmanagic needed was proof. And how could he get it without a grant that would make excavation possible? He knew that the idea of pyramids existing in Europe would be scandalous at best and that there would be a flood of backlash against his claims. However, as an enthusiast of archeology, mythology and history, Osmanagic was very open to any improbable possibilities that could be easily dismissed by hard-core mainstream archaeology skeptics. He was determined to start digging and exploring the pyramidal hills from the inside.

Osmanagic started digging in 2006, and found his suspicions to unravel with time: he found man made tunnels, stone-block structures and various ancient, Bosnian artifacts. Over the following months and consequent years, the debate over the authenticity of the proclaimed “Bosnian pyramids” has rocked the archeological establishment. Various Egyptologists and archaeologists experts were invited to screen the digging sites, and while many were quite impressed but needed more evidence to make their conclusions, others were skeptical and dismissed the hills as either an outright hoax or as conveniently-shaped pyramidal hills that used to serve as an old mining site.

Since the 2005 public announcement of the excavations, over 400,000 people have visited the site of the Visoko pyramidal complex. Currently, there is not enough evidence to support Osmanagic’s fascinating conclusions. However, the target project estimate for concluding the excavations is for 2012. It would be very interesting to follow the story as the wrap-up of the excavations ensues this year.

What if the Visoko hills are, indeed, ancient Bosnian pyramids that were built by Bosnian Illyrians (or some other advanced civilization) as early as 12,000 B.C.? History would have to be rewritten. I am quite sure that any evidence that is reported in support of the existence of the pyramids will be hard to digest by traditionalists and powers that be, given that upholding the status quo of our reality is a costly and profitable arrangement.

To conclude, I will follow up with some of the main excavation findings, a documentary and numerous useful website dedicated to uncovering the mystery surrounding the Bosnian pyramids.

Osmanagic's Evidence:

* Geometry: Precise orientation of the pyramids in all four cardinal directions (The distance measured between three pyramids – Pyramid of the Sun, Moon and Dragon, is also an equal side triangle and the distance between the tips of the three pyramids is also 365 meters.)

* Geo-sedimentary Composition: Man-made blocks were used to pave the exterior of the Pyramids

* Satellite Thermal Images: Analysis of the images confirms that the pyramidal structures are artificial (unnatural) in construction

* Complex Underground Tunnels: Multiple tunnels create passageways that connect the pyramids

* Additional Artifacts Found in Visoko: Stone-wheel composed of marl and sandstone, various stone molds, serpent relief carved in stone, artificial glass lumps, concentration of large stone balls (also across Bosnia)

*The following is a short documentary about Osmanagic's excavation:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BOSNIAN PYRAMIDS, check out these websites: