In the depth of a forest in Eastern Europe, an archaeologist claims to have made a discovery that could rewrite the history of the region. Semir Osmanagich, known as Bosnia’s “Indiana Jones,” says that a massive spherical rock he has uncovered in the country is evidence of an ancient civilization forgotten to time. But experts seem to disagree, and say that the massive spherical rock is nothing more than a natural formation.
The giant ball has been discovered in a forest near the town of Zavidovici, which is located in the central northern part of the country. Measuring in with a radius of around 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet), Osmanagic estimates that it weighs around 30.5 tonnes (30 tons) and dates to around 1,500 years old. He claims that it is yet more evidence for an ancient, unknown culture which existed in Bosnia, but who left behind no other signs.
Other experts have, however, been quick to point out that there is simply no proof that the stone was indeed hand crafted. The best theory so far is that it may have been formed via a process known as concretion, in which a natural mineral cement hardens within in the spaces between sediment grains and is then compacted. Often occurring in sedimentary rock or soil, this process frequently produces ovoid or spherical rock formations, such as those seen on Bowling Ball Beach in California.
Osmanagic has seemingly got inspiration for his theory about the Zavidovici rock from the stone spheres of Costa Rica, found on the Pacific coast of the country. Generally thought to have actually been hewed by humans, they are attributed to the Diquis culture which developed around a thousand years ago. So unusual are the 300 or so petrospheres, the site at which they were first found has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It also seems that Osmanagic has form when it comes to this supposed ancient Bosnian culture lost to time. Back in 2005 he announced that a series of hills hid a series of pyramids, dating to 12,500 year ago, and connected by underground tunnels. After extensive excavations, and even winning the support of the then Bosnian president, little actually came of the grand claims. Archaeologists readily admit that there probably is some archaeology at the site of the hills, but this most likely dates to the medieval period, and not some unknown advanced civilization.
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