Written in Partnership with Amir BakianSince 2015, when LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology was first used to assist with detecting ancient archeological sites, some of the deepest, darkest jungles of the world have been giving up their secrets. Guatemala, Cambodia, Bolivia, Belize, Mexico and even Bosnia have produced surprises from their past.
In 2016. This technology was used in Cambodia. Mr Shaun McMackay of CALI – Cambodian Archeological LIDAR initiative, says: ‘’Before Lidar’s availability an accurate ground survey entailed years of work.’’ (source: New York Times September19th 2016)
In 2018 LIDAR was applied in northern Guatemala. Thomas Garrison, Ithaca College Archeologist: ‘’The LIDAR images make it clear that the entire area was a settlement system whose scale and population density had been grossly underestimated’’. (source: National Geographic, February 2018)
In 2022 – Bolivia came to the global attention when LIDAR ‘discovered’ new temples in the dense jungle. Heiko Prumers of the German Archeological Institute: ‘’A lot of people didn’t want to see that there were archeological sites here in Bolivia that merit exploration’’. (source: Smithsonian Magazine, May 25th 2022)
BBC News Article, Feb 2nd 2018
However, rather surprisingly, LIDAR technology had already proven the shape and dimensions of the largest pyramid in the world back in 2015. This ground-breaking discovery was made by Dr Sam Osmanagich and carried out at his own cost as part of an independent investigation into some atypical megalithic sites in the area around Visoko, north west of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Aerial Photo of Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun (left). LIDAR image of the same area.
Source www.bosnianpyramid.org
Interestingly it was found, from the LIDAR data that the height of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun was not 725 feet as originally found but in fact 488 feet larger, at 1213 feet.
Dr Sam Osmanagich showing an excavated section of the Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun where the concrete block construction is cleared.
Throughout his 40-year career, Dr Sam Osmanagich, who holds a Ph.D. in Mayan Pyramids, has written 18 books on ancient civilizations and is a member of the Archeological Society of Alexandria, has been something of a maverick. However, his professional credentials, life’s work and discoveries have now been fully vindicated by the astonishing and indisputable imaging technology provided by LIDAR
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