Politicized Archaeology and Cultural Gatekeeping: The Case of the Bosnian Pyramids

Abstract

Sam Osmanagich*

The Bosnian Pyramid project in Visoko, Bosnia-Herzegovina, stands at the intersection of scientific exploration and political resistance. Despite the accumulation of peer-reviewed studies, independent expert visits, and robust archaeological and environmental data, the project has encountered systematic rejection from members of the cultural and academic establishment many of whom have never visited the site. This article investigates the phenomenon of politicized archaeology, where institutional loyalty, ideological orthodoxy, and cultural gatekeeping override empirical inquiry. Through documented examples and statistical modeling, including Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the improbability that such sustained expert support could occur by chance. Furthermore, we contrast the transparent, field-based research efforts of supporters with the unsubstantiated public discreditation campaigns waged by opponents. By exploring the political, media, and academic dynamics surrounding the case, this study contributes to broader discussions on intellectual pluralism, heritage governance, and the consequences of narrative monopolies in cultural policy.

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