Excavation of 'pyramids' in Europe

Workers are temporarily constructing a working area for archaeologists near the Visocica hill, which serves to track Bosnia's Sun Pyramid.( Photo: Reuters )

Archaeologists have begun digging into an area that they hope is hiding an ancient pyramid beneath a mysterious hill in Bosnia, which has long been a subject of legend.

The Bosnian team leader said that the soil tissue emerging on the small town of Visoko was similar to the pyramid sites in Latin America that he had studied. If it is, it will be the first pyramid to be discovered in Europe.

A preliminary study of the hill, called Visocica, found a 45-degree slope, perfectly shaped toward four sides and a flat top. Under layers of rock, workers discovered a flat stone entrance, entrances leading to tunnels and large rocks that could be part of the outer face of the pyramid.

Satellite and thermal imaging have revealed two smaller pyramid-shaped hills in the valley of Visoko. Rescue workers were sent to a tunnel, which is said to be part of the underground system connecting the three hills.

Excavations will continue in the next 6 months in the area just outside Visoko. "We hope to have the first preliminary results in the next 3 weeks," said Semir Osmanagic, the lead researcher.

T. An