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Bosnia's rich heritage
Author: Professor Anthony Harding
Uploaded: Tuesday, 25 April, 2006
Following press reports of excavations in central B-H in pursuit of a hypothetical 'pyramid', the president of the European Association of Archaeologists expresses his deep concern in a letter to The Times (London)
Sir,
Stories about hidden pyramids in deepest Bosnia being investigated
by "hobby archaeologists" ("Indiana Jones of the Balkans", April 15),
may appeal to those for whom the dry facts of archaeology hold
little attraction, but they also do little to assist the cause of
heritage protection in that beautiful but unlucky country.
Professional archaeologists in the former Yugoslavia, and in international
organisations such as the European Association of Archaeologists, have
known about these claims for some time, and various "scientific" reports
are available in the public domain.
In most countries of Europe those with wacky theories about "hidden
mysteries" on presumed archaeological sites are free to propound them
but not to undertake excavation, which by its very nature destroys
much of what it uncovers; let alone excavation by those unqualified
in terms of training and experience.
According to your report there are indeed archaeological sites on the
hill in question - Illyrian (Iron Age), Roman and Medieval; yet the
work underway or planned makes no mention of what steps will be taken
to safeguard them, and other potential sites as yet undiscovered,
from inappropriate earthmoving or other investigations.
The situation of professional heritage management in Bosnia-Herzegovina
is, since the Bosnian war, in a poor state, with a tiny number of people
trying to do what they can to protect their rich heritage from looting
and unmonitored or unauthorised development. It adds insult to injury
when rich outsiders can come in and spend large sums pursuing their
absurd theories (the construction of a colossal pyramid so large that
it dwarfs even those of Egypt or Mesoamerica? 12,000 years ago?),
in ways that most other countries would never countenance, instead
of devoting their cash to the preservation of the endangered genuine
sites and monuments in which Bosnia-Herzegovina abounds.
Professor Anthony Harding
President, European Association of Archaeologists
This letter appeared in The Times (London), 25 April 2006
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