Semir Osmanagić

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. 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." In April 2006, twenty-one historians, geologists and archaeologists signed an open letter describing the excavations as amateurish and lacking proper scientific supervision.

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". He also hoped that it would be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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."

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. 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. 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. His doctoral advisor was Hidajet Repovac, Professor of Sociology at Faculty of Political Science in Sarajevo who was part of the Foundation as early as 2007 and one of the co-chairmen of the 2008 International Conference on the Bosnian Pyramids.

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." 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.

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

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. 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. Osmanagić founded the manufacturing company Met Company, Inc. in Houston, Texas, in 1995, and continues to be its owner and CEO. 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 and a doctoral degree in social sciences, both obtained from the University of Sarajevo. In 2009 he became a member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (not to be confused with the Russian Academy of Sciences).