BOSNIA: Excavation in search of Bosnian pyramids built by ancestors of the Illiryans begins at Visocica hill in the Visoko region north of Sarajevo

Record ID: 645061

  • Title: BOSNIA: Excavation in search of Bosnian pyramids built by ancestors of the Illiryans begins at Visocica hill in the Visoko region north of Sarajevo
  • Date: 17th April 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Bosnian) FATIC ESREF, OWNER OF SOUVENIR SHOP IN VISOKO SAYING: "Believe me that people are buying these souvenirs (depicting pyramids). It is important that money goes round."
  • Embargoed: 2nd May 2006 13:00
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  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA5DKYXFJ35TOU9MESHJI9PHR45
  • Story Text: Samir Osmanagic, a Sarajevo-born researcher of ancient civilisations and a team of archaeologists started excavation work on Friday (April 14) which they hope will uncover the only European pyramids in Bosnia Herzegovina.
    Semir claimed last year that the Visocica hill, some 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of Sarajevo, was a pyramid built by ancestors of Illiryans, the first known inhabitants of the Balkans.
    A geological research conducted in August last year at the depth of 17 metres revealed layers of sand-stone slabs which is not naturally found with the clay that is also there.
    "Now the notion, of course, is that Bosnian valley of pyramids consists of three pyramids with 'Bosnian pyramid of Sun' being the highest, 220 metres. The beginning of this year's campaign, what we are going to do is to open ten probing wells where we are going to prove that the Bosnian pyramid is indeed the colossal artificial object," said Samir Osmanagic in front of cave which is believed to be an exit of the 4 kilometre long tunnel connecting the top of the pyramid to the bottom of the Visocia hill.
    However, the residents of Bosnian town of Visoko have little doubts about the existence of a pyramid on the hill overlooking their town.
    Rasim Kilalic, whose house sits at the plateau which allegedly was a paved entrance to the pyramid, hopes it is found.
    "There is a hill which can't be seen from here because of trees where allegedly another pyramid is and I don't know where the fourth (pyramid) should be. I hope that God will give us one (pyramid) out of those four hills," said Rasim adding that everyone in the country would benefit with from it.
    Meanwhile, craft workers in Visoko have already started making a profit from the pyramid theory.
    Fatic Esref makes his living by making and selling Bosnian traditional souvenirs in a shop in downtown Visoko. But recently he started making miniature pyramids made of clay, wood and even slippers displaying pyramids.
    "As far as we can see the world is interested in this and scientists have some proof and I hope they will find it (pyramid) very quickly. We hope that something will come out of it," said Esref sitting in his shop.
    "Believe me that people are buying these souvenirs (depicting pyramids). It is important that money goes round," Esref adds.
    Satellite images show three pyramid-shaped hills with 45-degree angled slopes, indicating three possible pyramids around Visoko, which were named the pyramids of the Sun, Moon and Dragon.
    Excavation work to test Osmanagic's theory in the Visoko region is expected to continue until October 2006.
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