The Bosnian Pyramids are said by some to be man-made, but the European Association of Archaeologists says they are natural formations. The Association issued a statement in 2006 saying the “pyramid” investigations in Bosnia are a “cruel hoax.” Nonetheless, researchers on site, led by Sam Osmanagich, Ph.D., continue to excavate and say they have found much evidence of a prehistoric culture responsible for building the pyramids.
Ten years of scientific and archaeological investigation of the Bosnian pyramids have brought many exciting moments as well as dramatic turnovers which are seeking the redefining of our knowledge about history.
One such breakthrough happened in April 2015. During the six months of cleaning and passing through new sections of the prehistoric underground tunnels, which had been discovered some time ago, the employees of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation were faced with various difficulties. During the winter of 2014 and spring of 2015, they hardly won new meters of tunnel. In one moment, in February 2015, one branch of the tunnel that leads to the south toward the Bosnian pyramid of Sun, ended with a huge rock.
We decided to go around the rock by using side passageways. Like many other tunnels we already discovered, these were packed with fill-out material (gravel and sand). Two side passages, to the east and west, ended in conglomerate material after about 10 meters (32 feet). We tried one more direction but that one didn’t lead us to the desired result either.
Then we decided to go around a large rock by digging a tunnel around it. Employees carried out this activity carefully, constantly checking the stability of the material, and checking measurements of oxygen and carbon dioxide. After 30 meters (100 feet), the rock was bypassed.
Discovery of New Tunnels
I was in Houston when they told me that they discovered a new tunnel behind the rock. It was a new section, without any fill-in material, but was submerged underwater. I made the decision that workers should stop the work and wait for my return to Bosnia.
I formed a team of six members for the first scientific screening of the newly discovered sections.
This was not the first time that we had found open sections in which the human foot had not entered for a long period of time. It is a special feeling for every researcher and the moment when dreams come true.
Every time investigators have found prehistoric underground tunnels in Egypt, Mexico, China, or Peru, those were often the world’s attractions and leading news shared across all media.
In our case, we have already explored many sections of tunnel made by intelligent hands in the distant past. So far, we have discovered 1,550 meters (5,000 feet).
Exploration of the New Tunnels
The day of entry in the new section of the tunnel finally came. On April 30, 2015, with full protective equipment, rubber boots and waterproof suits, lamps, and compasses, we were ready for adventure.
The team consisted of the following members:
- Dr. Sam Osmanagich, discoverer and principal investigator of Bosnian Pyramids
- Anela Preljević, B.C.in archaeology (UCL London) and Bosnian Pyramids of the Sun Foundation’s field archaeologist
- Mejra Kozlo, B.C. in geology and Foundation’s field geologist
- Engineer Osman Buza, assistant of cantonal minister for economy
- Jock Doubleday, videographer and P.R. director of the Foundation
- Edo Građan, employee of the Foundation
We went to the left side, heading towards the West. The height of the tunnel is around 110–120 centimeters (3.6–3.9 feet). I led the team, in a bent-over position. The tunnel was filled with water 20 centimeters (8 inches) deep. In some places it reached 30 centimeters (about 1 foot). We found three dry sections. We were looking left and right, there weren’t side passages. On the pebble floor we did not see tools or artifacts. There were no traces of burning on either the walls or the ceiling. We found some interesting elongated pieces of stone that our archaeologist, Anela, took for analysis.
Finally, the tunnel ended. A dry section with pebbles at the end had a round pool 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) in radius and 50 centimeters in depth. The water was clear and clean. We gave the first statement to the camera and turned back. Osman and Edo measured the length of this part of the tunnel. It was 41 meters (135 feet) long.
We went back to the entrance. We agreed to visit a section in the opposite direction. I said to Jock to go first and to record while the water is clear. Behind him were Anela and Meira, then Osman, Edo, and me. We moved to the east. After a few meters, we came to the first intersection. It led exactly in the direction of the south. I liked that, because it is the direction of the Pyramid of Sun. The tunnel, which was open, ran for about 3 meters (10 feet) before being filled with gravel material to the ceiling. We were stopped there and took a photo.
In front of us was a continuation of the tunnel in the direction of the northeast. The water level was deeper in this section, approximately 1 meter (3.2 feet). After 17 meters (55 feet) we came to a new crossroads. Our route was blocked by stone walls and then filled with material. An open section continued to the left, towards the east. The water was becoming deeper, and found its way into my boots.
We continued even though we were getting wet. The ceiling height was now about 2 meters (7 feet). We walked slowly through the muddy, clay soil. The water was freezing. We came to a new crossroads. The tunnels were intersecting at 90 degrees. The side passages were blocked by stone walls, and then by gravel material. I commented to Anela:
“Now you have the opportunity to enter into a new section of the tunnel. You can see that is not true that our Foundation makes drywall tunnels or digs it, these are prehistoric tunnels.”
[Note: The Foundation had previously been accused of making the tunnels themselves.]
She agreed with me and gave a statement to Jock. Mejra joined her. We continued and after only a few meters we saw one more crossroads and again the side passages were blocked. One part of the wall was underwater, Anela commented. She recognized a difference in the compactness of the loaded material and conglomerates in which the tunnels were made.
We continued with the investigation. With every step it became harder to walk. After a few meters, we came to the end of the flooded parts of the tunnel. It ended with sandy ground. Anela spotted a piece of wood. Organic material! She took some samples.
After a few minutes, we turned back and headed for the exit. We summed up the total length of open, prehistoric section of tunnel. In total it has 127 meters (about 416 feet). It is great information!
After two hours of investigation and adventures, we went outside. We changed our clothes and then took a photo of the organic material.
In our minds we made a plan about what to do next with the tunnels. We want to clean up the tunnel that leads to the South, in the direction of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun. We need to bridge the 9 meters (30 feet) of water, and make a barrier toward the rest of the open tunnel.
One phase of the investigation of the tunnels is finished, and another just begins.
Our hypothesis that this is a labyrinth, which we have named “Ravne,” with countless tunnels and that you can always choose a direction of tunnel that will be clear, has been confirmed.
Dr. Semir “Sam” Osmanagich is Bosnian-born Houston, U.S., resident, author, researcher, and businessman. He is the founder and executive director of the Bosnian Pyramids of the Sun Foundation.
Republished with permission. Read the original at Ancient Origins.
