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In the Mesozoic margin of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains there are outcrops of various kinds of flint and many prehistoric mines. Places where striped flint was mined were found at Korycizna, Borownia and Ruda Kościelna. In terms of area of the mining field, one of Europe’s biggest sites is the complex of flint mines at Krzemionki near Ostrowiec Świetokrzyski. Its perfectly preserved ground landscape and underground structure give it extraordinary importance.
The mines were found on 19 July 1922 by the geologist Jan Samsonowicz. Research and excavation works in the area were directed by Zygmunt Szmit (1923, 1927), Józef Żurowski (1925-1927), Stefan Krukowski (1923, 1928-1937), Michał Drewko (1945, 1948), Tadeusz Żurowski (1953, 1958-1961), Jan Kowalczyk, Bogdan Balcer and Zygmunt Krzak (1969-1970), Jerzy Bąbel (1979-1984, 2001-2004), Sławomir Sałaciński, Marek Zalewski, Witold Migal (1985-1988) and Wojciech Borkowski (1989-2000).
The mines were exploited ca. 3900 to 1600 BC. (radiocarbon dating) by different peoples who left artefacts categorized by archaeologists into cultures- e. g. the culture of funnel- shaped cups, culture spherical amphorae, Mierzanowice culture. It is possible that deposits of striped flint were known even earlier, to the Mesolithic hunters.
Growing population and burning-down type of farming were vital factors which led to development of flint mining in Świętokrzyskie region. Axes made of flint, used mostly for cutting down trees and clearing land as well as for cutting wood, were distributed in the range of 250 km from the mines (the culture of funnel- shaped cups, ca. 3900- 2900 BC.). However, most shafts at Krzemionki were made by miners who belonged to the culture of spherical amphorae (2900- 2500 BC.). Axes for special purposes which they produced are found in the range as big as 600 km. In the early Bronze Age (Mierzanowice culture, ca. 2200- 1600 BC.) tools and weapons (axes and arrow- heads) made of flint were distributed in the range of ca. 85 km.
The mining field in Krzemionki is located in an area of Jurassic (Upper Oxfordian) limestone outcrop in a syncline edge. The parabola- shaped field is ca. 5 km long and from 20 to 220 metres wide, covering the area of ca. 785 thousand m 2. The number of mining units is estimated at over five thousand. The flint - bearing layer is a bank of flint concretions of various sizes, located in two layers whose depths decrease towards the edge of the syncline. The shafts were set out 5 to 30 metres apart, and their depths and shapes depend on local geological conditions of flint- bearing layers. Ball-shaped and flattened flint concretions were extracted in a few ways, from excavating shallow cavities (two metres deep and four or five metres wide), through niche mines (ca. 4,5 m deep) and chamber- pillar mines to 8- 9 m deep chamber mines covering the area of ca. 400 m 2. The advance of more complex flint mining technology in the Neolithic Age resulted in development of specialization: this is when professional flint miners emerged. A mine crew consisted of five to ten people.
Flint was mined in the warm (shallow cavities) and cold season (deep chambers). Sheds were built over chamber shafts to protect the mine from rain and snow. The miners used sets of tools made from pieces of flint, other rocks and deer antlers. They served as wedges, mallets, levers, hoes and pickaxes. There was also an ingenious system of transporting flint output up to the surface. The miners worked underground in a contracted position: half- lying, crouching or kneeling. In order to save work, excavations were only 55-110 cm high. Loosened limestone rubble was disposed of either to the surface, where it was stored in characteristic heaps surrounding the shafts, or was used for backfilling abandoned chambers. To prevent mine roofs from collapsing, pillars of solid rock were left (chamber- pillar mines) or supports made of limestone slabs and rubble. Air circulation in the mine was provided by fires made in the shafts and their entrances. The mine was lit by burning resinous chips and perhaps with tallow lamps.The gained material was segregated underground and only the best quality flint was transported to the surface. Just near the shaft it was segregated once again and underwent preliminary working. Concretions were broken on a stone anvil and worked with shaping tools made of stone, flint, bone and hard wood. Large amounts of flint waste and abortive semi- products of axes and other tools remained left near shaft entrances (site workshops). Selected semi- products or roughly shaped lump were taken for further working in productions settlements located in the basin of the Kamienna river, where, for instance, axes were polished and finished. Apart from temporary camps built by the miners, there was no permanent settling in the mining area because of lack of potable water. Sometimes they used rainwater which remained in karst formations lying about 250 or 350 metres south of the mining field.
Pictures of symbols representing deities worshipped by the miners, made in charcoal on rock faces and pillars, were found in the mine. They include a woman in labour, a bull’s head or horns, a pair of feet. Located in the workplace, they were supposed to help the miners with excavating limestone rock. Probably they symbolize the Great Goddess and her partner, the God of Storm, whose weapon was a lightning represented by a hatched and axe. This cult is connected with the special role of a striped flint axe in the animal and crop farming communities of the culture of spherical amphorae. It is supposed that in rites it symbolized presence of a deity. It also meant social prestige and was a warrior’s weapon, magically protecting the owner from evil. This is why it was buried together with the dead.
After prehistoric miners had stopped exploitation of the deposits, the area remained hidden in ancient forest until it was infringed by modern agriculture in the beginning of the 20 th century, when the village of Krzemionki was located nearby. The dwellers- lime producers destroyed the ancient mines (among other things, the “Great Chambers” in the tourist route No 1) in order to gain limestone for production of lime and as fluxing agent for Ostrowiec steelworks. This kind of exploitation was stopped when an archaeological reserve was established. Its organization began in 1926.
Underground exhibition gallery ca.0,5 km long passing through Neolithic mining units was opened for tourists 1 july 2004.
The reserve is situated 8 km north - east of Ostrowiec, near the road to Lipsko. Transport from Ostrowiec by bus (lines No 10 & 11), coach or using own means of communication.
Approach to prehistoric striped flint mines at Krzemionki
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM AND RESERVE at Krzemionki
A branch of Historical and Archaeological Museum at Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski
Phone. (0-41)-262-09-78
Phone/Fax. 90-41)-265-36-51
The Museum is open:
from 1 st May to 30 th September:
- Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
- Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
- Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
In April and October:
- Monday to Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
- Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
from 1 st November to 31 st March:
- Monday to Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
- Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
On display:
- Neolithic flint mining
- Underground tourist gallery
- Reconstruction of a Neolithic settlement
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