“If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” (Thomas 1928).
This thes... more “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” (Thomas 1928).
This thesis takes up the case of the “Visoko Complex”, simultaneously a physical complex of purportedly archaeological sites, a social complex of various factions, and according to some a psychological complex as well. Close to a decade ago in the town of Visoko in Bosnia, a man declared that what were thought to be hills were in fact buried pyramids. This event prompted a diverse national and international reaction, still in process to this day. I examine the phenomenon in context, and consider in turn the critique from the scientific establishment, the pyramid proponents themselves, and their foreign and local supporters. An argument is made against the mainstream critique, with an alternative approach centred on Victor Turner’s communitas concept (1969) offered in its place.
“If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” (Thomas 1928).
This thes... more “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” (Thomas 1928).
This thesis takes up the case of the “Visoko Complex”, simultaneously a physical complex of purportedly archaeological sites, a social complex of various factions, and according to some a psychological complex as well. Close to a decade ago in the town of Visoko in Bosnia, a man declared that what were thought to be hills were in fact buried pyramids. This event prompted a diverse national and international reaction, still in process to this day. I examine the phenomenon in context, and consider in turn the critique from the scientific establishment, the pyramid proponents themselves, and their foreign and local supporters. An argument is made against the mainstream critique, with an alternative approach centred on Victor Turner’s communitas concept (1969) offered in its place.
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Papers by John Parle
This thesis takes up the case of the “Visoko Complex”, simultaneously a physical complex of purportedly archaeological sites, a social complex of various factions, and according to some a psychological complex as well. Close to a decade ago in the town of Visoko in Bosnia, a man declared that what were thought to be hills were in fact buried pyramids. This event prompted a diverse national and international reaction, still in process to this day. I examine the phenomenon in context, and consider in turn the critique from the scientific establishment, the pyramid proponents themselves, and their foreign and local supporters. An argument is made against the mainstream critique, with an alternative approach centred on Victor Turner’s communitas concept (1969) offered in its place.
This thesis takes up the case of the “Visoko Complex”, simultaneously a physical complex of purportedly archaeological sites, a social complex of various factions, and according to some a psychological complex as well. Close to a decade ago in the town of Visoko in Bosnia, a man declared that what were thought to be hills were in fact buried pyramids. This event prompted a diverse national and international reaction, still in process to this day. I examine the phenomenon in context, and consider in turn the critique from the scientific establishment, the pyramid proponents themselves, and their foreign and local supporters. An argument is made against the mainstream critique, with an alternative approach centred on Victor Turner’s communitas concept (1969) offered in its place.