The UNESCO-listed prehistoric flint mines in Krzemionki, Poland, face the threat of losing their status due to the proposed expansion of a nearby limestone quarry.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed prehistoric flint mines in Krzemionki, Poland, are under threat. The expansion plans of a nearby limestone quarry in Śródborze, authorized by the previous local authorities, could jeopardize the status of this unique archaeological site. Discovered in 1922 by geologist Jan Samsonowicz, these Neolithic and early Bronze Age mines, with around 4,000 shafts, represent a significant historical and cultural heritage.
Community and Expert Response
Dr. Andrzej Przychodni, director of the Museum of History and Archaeology in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, highlights the severe risk posed by the quarry’s expansion. The community, backed by local parliamentarians and cultural authorities, is rallying against this development. Previous successful protests in the region give hope, as residents and experts strive to protect the Krzemionki mines and their surroundings. They aim to ensure the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage intervenes to revoke the quarry’s new concessions, preserving Poland’s sole archaeological UNESCO site.