Semir Osmanagić

Semir Osmanagic speaking with a tourist

Semir Osmanagić (born 1 June 1960 in Zenica, SFR Yugoslavia), also known as Sam Osmanagich, is best known for promoting the pseudo-archaeological projects related to the "Bosnian pyramid". Osmanagić claims that a cluster of natural hills in central Bosnia and Herzegovina are the largest human-made ancient pyramids on Earth. Professional geologists, archaeologists and other scientists have concluded - after analysis of the site, its known history, and excavations - that the hills are natural formations known as flatirons and that there are no signs of human construction involved.[1][2][3][4]

Bosnian pyramids claim

In April 2005, Osmanagić was invited to visit Visočica and its fortress ruins. During the visit Osmanagić noticed the pyramidal shape of Visočica hill.[1] He subsequently wrote a book promoting the claim that the hill was the remains of an ancient, man-made pyramid, which he claimed was one of five colossal stone structures in the shape of the pyramid with an extensive prehistoric underground tunnel network. He named those structures "Bosnian pyramids", and established a charitable foundation, the "Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun", to fund the promotion and investigation of the site.

In early 2006, geologists from the University of Tuzla analyzed core samples at Visočica. Their tests showed that the hill is composed of the same material as other mountains in the area: alternating layers of conglomerate, clay and sandstone. Excavations revealed layers of fractured conglomerate at Visočica, while those at Pljesevica uncovered cracked sandstone plates separated by layers of silt and clay. Robert M. Schoch, associate professor of Natural Science at Boston University, said at the time, "What [Osmanagić]'s found isn't even unusual or spectacular from the geological point of view. It's completely straightforward and mundane."[1] In April 2006, twenty-one historians, geologists and archaeologists signed an open letter describing the excavations as amateurish and lacking proper scientific supervision.[1]

Osmanagić claimed that he wished to excavate in order to "break a cloud of negative energy, allowing the Earth to receive cosmic energy from the centre of the galaxy".[5] He also hoped that it would be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[6]

The Bosnian Pyramid claims have done considerable damage to the archaeological heritage of the area. Anthony Harding, Professor of Archaeology at Exeter University and then-president of the European Association of Archeologists, said that, "Osmanagić is conducting a pseudo-archaeological project that, disgracefully, threatens to destroy parts of Bosnia's real heritage."[1]

Other claims

Osmanagić's theories and credibility have come under considerable criticism since he came to prominence over the excavations at Visočica. In his doctoral thesis Osmanagič claims that the Maya Civilization predates the Olmec, and that their culture mysteriously ceased to exist after the 10th century CE.[7] He also discusses in some detail Mayan crystal skulls, positing that they were created with the use of advanced technology, as well as discussing the alleged psychological and parapsychological phenomena surrounding them.[8] He suggests that the Maya had contact with the Chinese, giving as an example a jade carving of a jaguar which he posits is carved from Chinese nephrite. Others have identified the material as jadeite which was used by the Mayans.[1][9] His doctoral advisor was Hidajet Repovac, Professor of Sociology at Faculty of Political Science in Sarajevo[10][11] who was part of the Foundation as early as 2007[12] and one of the co-chairmen of the 2008 International Conference on the Bosnian Pyramids.[13]

In an article in Archaeology Magazine, Beth Kampschror refers to Osmanagić's book The World of the Maya, in which he suggests that the Maya were descendants of aliens from the Pleiades by way of Atlantis. He is quoted as positing, "Were perhaps those who were ready picked up in spaceships by their mentors from the Pleiades star cluster? Or perhaps they joined the Lords of the Galaxy and, in pods of light, set off on a journey with no return."[14] Osmanagić also wrote, "It is my theory that the Maya should be considered watchmakers of the cosmos whose mission it is to adjust the Earthly frequency and bring it into accordance with the vibrations of our Sun;... Their ancestors, the civilizations of Atlantis and Lemuria, erected the first temples on energy potent points of the Planet. Their most important function was to serve as a gateway to other worlds and dimensions.[15]

In his book Alternative History, Osmanagić suggests that Hitler and other leading Nazis escaped to an underground base in Antarctica.[1][16]

Early life and career

Osmanagić was born in Bosnia, and after graduating from university, he ran an import-export business for seven years. In 1992 he emigrated to the United States as the Bosnian War was breaking out.[17] He moved to Houston, Texas, and found a job as a marketing assistant for a company producing parts for oil and gas wells. He went on to become a manager and minority owner in the firm, holding a five percent stake in 1999.[18] Osmanagić founded the manufacturing company Met Company, Inc. in Houston, Texas, in 1995, and continues to be its owner and CEO.[1][19] He is also the founder and executive director of the Bosnian Pyramids of the Sun Foundation.

He holds a master's degree in international economics and politics[1] and a doctoral degree in social sciences, both obtained from the University of Sarajevo.[20] In 2009 he became a member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences[21] (not to be confused with the Russian Academy of Sciences).[1]

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Colin Woodard (December 2009). "The Pyramid Man:The Mystery of Bosnia's Ancient Pyramids" (40:9). Smithsonian.
  2. ↑ Pyramid No More, Sub Rosa, Issue 6, Oct 2006.
  3. ↑ The great Bosnian pyramid scheme by Anthony Harding, British Archaeology November/December 2006
  4. ↑ John Bohannon, Mad About Pyramids, Science Magazine, 22 September 2006.
  5. ↑ Osmanagić, Semir (July 2006). "Energijsko središče sveta?" [The energy center of the world] (in Slovenian). Misteriji. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2009-05-08. Retrieved 2009-11-20. Mi razbijamo negativni energijski oblak. To mora biti narejeno pred letom 2012, da bi lahko sprejeli zgodovinski vpliv vesoljne energije iz koz- mičnega centra naše galaksi- je.
  6. ↑ "5-year Plan of Research on Visoko’s Visocica 1 Jan 2006 – 31 Dec 2010". Archived from the original on July 15, 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2006.
  7. ↑ Osmanagich, Sam Semir. "Dr.sci Sam Semir Osmanagich, PhD".
  8. ↑ Osmanagić's PhD thesis
  9. ↑ Sharer, Robert; Sylvanus Griswold Morley (1994). The Ancient Maya. Stanford University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-8047-2130-1.
  10. ↑ "Interview with Hidajet Repovac". Dani. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Prof. Dr. Repovac Hidajet".
  12. ↑ "General Multidisciplinary Research Project Bosnian Region Pyramids In Visoko, Bosnia And Herzegovina" (PDF). Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Presidency". International Conference on the Bosnian Pyramids. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  14. ↑ Kampschror, Beth. "Pyramid Scheme." Archaeology. July/Aug 2006, Vol. 59 Issue 4, p22-28.
  15. ↑ Rose, Mark (2006-04-27). "The Bosnia-Atlantis connection". Archaeology. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  16. ↑ "A towering success". The Economist. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  17. ↑ Beachy, Debra (2008-12-07). "Houston Business Journal article". Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  18. ↑ "Providing Jobs for Refugees Is a Win-win Business Move". Houston Business Journal. 20 June 1999. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  19. ↑ Beachy, Debra (2008-12-07). "Houston Business Journal article". Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  20. ↑ insert date May 2010 and hit submit (2010-05-28). "University of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, News archive, doctorate promotion,". Sociology. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  21. ↑ The Russian Academy of Natural Sciences is an organization known for the fact that many of its members do not have any scientific credentials and some of them peddle pseudoscience

External links

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