The Bosnian Pyramid threatens to spread
I haven’t posted much on the pyramania in Bosnia since September. Still a trickle of comments and complaints continue to come in. There’s a small number of people who insist that Osmanagić should be allowed to do what he likes and any evidence that he’s incompetent or plain wrong should be ignored. Reports by archaeologists from the EAA? The ‘experts’ (never forget the scarequotes) don’t know everything. Bosnian Geologists conclude the hill is natural. Ignore them, the ‘experts’ don’t know everything. Robert Schoch, a geologist admired by the alternative archaeology community has examined the site, including the the tunnels, and has said it’s natural. Ignore him, the ‘experts’ don’t know everything. The refusal to accept any evidence which contradicts their wishes is known by believers as keeping an open mind.
Now it doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is nonsense. The problem for the Bosnian Pyramid Foundation is that people have kept an open mind and listened to what they’ve said. If someone can’t use a tape measure tell if a pyramid is 70m high or 220m high, why should they be capable of an archaeological exacavation? It’s not all about digging, you need to be able to use a tape measure to tell where you’re digging. So if you were in Osmanagić’s position, how would you credibly ignore the overwhelming evidence against you? It’s a problem, especially when the fiercest critic of Osmanagić is, accidentally Osmanagić.
The common portrayal by Osmanagić’s foundation is that this is Bosnia versus the scientific establishment. This has never been the case. From the earliest days Bosnian archaeologists, historians and geologists were saying the claims were false. Understandably Bosnia’s academic infrastructure is still underfunded following the war. Osmanagić in contrast is flush with foreign money.
The problem threatens to spread. Stultitia has kindly sent me a letter from the Sarajevo paper Oslobodjenje, which you can read a translation of below. Now that Osmanagić has shown that money can purchase the right to play archaeologist others are being attracted to Bosnia. It now seems that Troy has been discovered in Bosnia by a Mexican businessman. This could be bad news for Gabela, a site dating from the Middle Ages, which survived the war but may have to go if Troy is to be found. There’s employment and the prospect of tourists, so is it pedantic to quibble about the lack of evidence?
Bosnian historians, archaeologists and geologists don’t think so. Despite the claims of Osmanagić, published geological reports have concluded that the ‘pyramids’ are natural. Not just outsiders, Bosnian geologists familiar with the region have also concluded the hills are natural. Bosnian historians and Bosnian archaeologists are also against this project. This isn’t Bosnia versus the world, it’s one business man versus Bosnia’s heritage.
If it was presented as a fantasy, then I’d say that Osmanagić has the right to demolish anything in Bosnia if the citizens let him. I wouldn’t think it was a good idea, but I can’t force my demands on another democratic country. What I disagree with is the presentation of Osmanagić’s work as anything approaching sound science. This is deception and rather than a new future Osmanagić is selling fairy gold. This pyramid will not be accepted by foreign academics nor, as the letter below makes clear, will it be accepted by Bosnian academics.
More
