Krzemionki is a famous neolithic era, flint mine in Poland

([kʂɛˈmjjɔnkji ɔpaˈtɔfskjɛ], “Opatów silica-mine”), is located 8km ne of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski; and, about 150km south of Warsaw. Lasting about 3900 to 1600 BC (5900 to 3600 years ago). They became well known during the neolithic and early Bronze Age(s).

It was the Mierzanowice culture, that mainly excavated the upper jurassic, (oxfordian), banded flint using hatchets. The banded flints emerged, and were mostly used for the manufacture of axes and chisels. Though other tools were manufactured. Such as knives, sickels, arrowheads and bits from the broken pieces. Abundant quantities of these tools were commercialized and exchanged. They were traded all over Europe, Eurasia, the middle east, Africa, and beyond. The main period for exploitation of the mine was 2500-2000 BCE. During the beginning of the bronze age around Poland. Krzemionki began to decline. This was around 1800-1600 BC.
With the advent of bronze, and other precious metals. During the following centuries, the mining area was not visited very often. More recently, the area’s limestone quarries were used for lime mining. At the first half of the 20th century.

Many have visited the Krzemionki mines. In 1967, the Krzemionki mines were designated, as an archaeological reserve. On 11 June 1985, it was opened on a larger scale. On 10 June 1990 a second underground route was opened. In 1992 an open air museum was started. The underground tourist route is almost a half km long and less than 12 meters deep (40 feet). In 1995, it became a natural reserve. Check them out with some neolithic architecture today.

Bibliography: Wikipedia contributors. (2021, November 1). Krzemionki. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzemionki

Muzeum Historyczno-Archeologiczne w Ostrowcu Świętokrzyskim. Krzemionki – Muzeum Historyczno – https://muzeumostrowiec.pl/krzemionki/?krzem=obiekt&st=2&id=6

Leave a Reply