|
|
Visocica Hill
Loation
Visocica hill. Visoko. Bosnia Hertzogovia.
(43°59'20.10"N, 18°10'12.97"E)
|
|
|
View Photo Gallery |
Index of Ancient Sites |
Description - The main Bosnian 'Pyramid', otherwise named Visocica Hill, is the first potential proper European pyramid to be discovered and is located in the heart of Bosnia, in the town of Visoko. It apparently has all the important elements: four perfectly shaped slopes pointing toward the cardinal points, a flat top and an entrance complex. Because of its similarities to the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, Mexico, it has been named the “Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun” ('Bosanska Piramida Sunca'). There are also a three smaller pyramids on the site, the Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon ('Bosanska Piramida Mjeseca'), Bosnian Pyramid of Earth, ('Bosanska Piramida Zemlje') and Bosnian Pyramid of the Dragon ( 'Bosanska Piramida Zmaja').
Should it be determined that these structures are indeed pyramids, then their discovery is of great importance. The fact that they are actually pyramids has been strongly contested by various agencies, although at present 'the jury is out' on this issue. The world awaits...
An international team of archaeologists began digging in April 2006....
...scroll down for more...
Dig for ancient pyramid in Bosnia
Semir Osmanagic is leading the project to uncover the 'pyramid'. Initial excavations have revealed a narrow entrance to what could be an underground network of tunnels.
A team of rescue workers from a local coal mine, followed by archaeologists and geologists examined a tunnel, thought to be 2.4 miles (3.8km) long. The team found two intersections with other tunnels leading off to the left and right. Their conclusion was that it had to be man-made. "This is definitely not a natural formation," said geologist Nadja Nukic.
Satellite photographs and thermal imaging revealed two other, smaller pyramid-shaped hills in the Visoko Valley, which archaeologists believe the tunnels could lead to. Cashing in Workers also discovered a paved entrance plateau and large stone blocks that could be part of a pyramid's outer surface.
He has already named the three hills the pyramids of the Sun, Moon and Dragon.
The work will continue for around six months, with the first results expected in the next three weeks. Two experts from Egypt are also due to join the team in mid-May.
According to anthropologists there is evidence of 7,000-year-old human settlements in the valley. German archaeologists also recently found 24,000 Neolithic artefacts one metre below ground. Mr Osmanagic says the hill is a classic example of cultures building on the top of other cultures.The town was Bosnia's capital during the Middle Ages, and a medieval fortress used by Bosnian kings sits atop Visocica. The fortress was built over an old Roman Empire observation post, which in turn was constructed over the ruins of an ancient settlement
(Ref: BBC.Co.Uk)
Update -
17/5/2006
An Egyptian geologist who has joined Bosnian researchers unearthing what are thought to be Europe's first pyramids believes they bear similar hallmarks to the ancient structures in his homeland, an official said on Wednesday.
Dr Aly Abd Barakat concluded that the blocks on the eastern face of the 'pyramid of the Sun', are of a similar construction to those found in Egyptian pyramids - (the blocks are handmade and polished). In Egypt, stones were polished to reflect the sunlight. Baraket believes that the blocks, 4m x 1.5m in size, were brought from a different location.
After studying excavations on the northern sideof the pyramid, Baraket concluded that the blocks were handmade and had been created using a mould to form the blocks, which consist of an ancient 'concrete-like' mix. He also noticed a white line 0.5cm thick between the blocks, indicating a cement-like substance had been used to adhere them together.
Barakat also visited the 'pyramid of the Moon', at the base of Pljesevica Hill, and concluded that the 'steps' which form the sides of this pyramid were also made by human hands.
Aly Abd Alla Barakat, of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority, believes large stone blocks found near Sarajevo were man-made and polished in the same way as the pyramids of Giza, said the Bosnian Pyramid Foundation's Mario Gerussi.
"Barakat has also found the presence of a special material linking the stone blocks which is identical to that used for pyramids in Giza," he added.
Barakat had extensive knowledge of the pyramids in Giza and had been recommended for the Bosnian mission by Zahi Hawass, one of the world's foremost Egyptologists, said Gerussi.
Over the next month, he is to work with Bosnian experts at Visoko valley, 30km north of Sarajevo, which is believed to be hiding three major pyramids.
Since the digging work began in mid-April on one of the three hills there believed contain pyramids, researchers have unearthed a number of large stone blocks.
Semir Osmanagic, a self-styled Bosnian explorer who initiated the work, says he believes the blocks are part of a pyramid's surface.
Previously, satellite images showed that the hills in the valley cooled a lot faster than their surroundings, proving the substance of the structures was less dense and therefore probably made by men.
Also, the structures are precisely aligned with the four points of the compass.
The excavation work at Visoko, led by the foundation of local archaeologists and volunteers, will last 200 days and is expected to cost €125 000.
While most Bosnians are hopeful the pyramids will be found, a group of the country's archaeologists and historians have dismissed Osmanagic's mission as a "farce".
If anyone has any further information on this amazing discovery, we would greatly welcome your contributions at this time.