Visoko, Bosnia-Herzegovina - A group of international and local experts commenced Friday in the central Bosnian town of Visoko thorough archeological research of 645-metre-high Visocica hill, believed to be hiding an ancient pyramid.
The research, hoping to prove a sensational discovery in the small town in Central Bosnia, was initiated by Sarajevo-born American Semir Osmanagic, who claimed a year ago he had found a pyramid built by some unknown ancient civilization near Visoko, some 30 kilometres north of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.
'The history of civilization is to be rewritten,' said Osmanagic, who strongly believes in the existence of at least three pyramids around Visoko.
While travelling through Bosnia-Herzegovina a year ago, Osmanagic said he noticed that the local Visocica hill near Visoko looked just like a quadrilateral pyramid, similar to those discovered in Latin America.
Osmanagic, who has spent the last 15 years researching ancient civilizations and pyramids all around the world, immediately initiated scientific research and encouraged international experts to get interested in what he believes to be the Bosnian Pyramid Valley.
Another two local hills, he says, could also be pyramids.
Comparing the position of the alleged buildings near Visoko with those discovered in Costa Rica, El Salvador or Mexico, Osmanagic presented his theory that the 'Bosnian pyramids' were built as links to the spiritual world as the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Dragon's Pyramid.
Last summer geologists conducted some preliminary research, including the sounding of the Visocica hill and the surrounding area.
The sounding showed some materials, such as clay and polished stone pieces, as well as some stones with metal traces, believed not to be created by nature.
Sandstone slabs, which could have been used as an access road, were discovered some five metres under the surface near the alleged pyramid's base.
Sophisticated satellite imagery of the terrain around Visoko, according to Dr Amer Smailbegovic, a geophysicist and expert in satellite imagery, revealed certain anomalies on the sites where the pyramids are believed to be.
Several different techniques, such as remote sensing by satellite, artificial illumination and radar topography, he said, showed some 'geometric features that seem to be positioned in a triangular form,' matching with the compass points of the world.
Different radar imaging, according to Smailbegovic, also showed certain 'anomalous lineaments (features) subsurface or image artifacts,' as well as something that might be an access plateau between the alleged pyramids.
Smailbegovic, however, did not want to speculate on whether the pyramids exist or not, stressing that only thorough archeological research on the ground could prove or disprove the theory.
He himself joined a group of archaeologists and geologists who entered a recently discovered underground tunnel near the Visocica hill, already called by the locals the Sun Pyramid.
The tunnel, according to Semir Osmanagic, is probably linked with the pyramids.
'I hope we will find some organic materials in there, such as bones or wood, or some other things that may prove the existence of an ancient civilization thousands of years ago,' said Osmanagic.
The research, he said, should last for 200 days and cost some 130,000 euros (some 157,000 US dollars).
Bosnian scientists, experts in history, archeology and anthropology remain skeptical about Osmanagic's theory, while Bosnian citizens believe or hope that there might be a pyramid near Visoko.
A recent poll showed that some 79 per cent of people believe in the existence of Visoko's Sun Pyramid.
People in Visoko, however, do not waste their time waiting for the confirmation or denial of the existence of the pyramid.
As soon as they realized that the discovery may encourage tourists to come to this tiny Bosnian town, they decided to use the alleged pyramid in the best way they know.
Local craftspeople have started carving pyramids into wooden or metal souvenirs, such as wooden flutes or metal plates.
The image of the Visocica hill, or the Pyramid of the Sun, was also printed on T-shirts and the traditional leather slippers.
A local pizzeria has also introduced a totally new shape of the famous Italian meal - a pizza shaped as a pyramid, while a local hotel changed its name from 'Hollywood' to the 'Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun.'
In an attempt to get more tourists' attention, the hotel said on its website (www.motelpiramidasunca.co.ba ): 'Dining in our restaurant ... you will be able to enjoy a fascinating view of the Pyramid of the Sun. You too are going to be part of the mystery and wonders happening in this region that are reaching deep into the past.'
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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