Les minières de silex néolithique de Spiennes à Mons

Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes

Useful Information

Location:	At Spiennes. 5 km south east of Mons (Bergen). E42 exit Mons-Est, follow R5 and Chaussée du Roeulx. Turn left on Chemin des Mourdreux, which becomes Chaussée de Beaumont. Turn right on N564 to Spiennes. (50°42' N 3°98' E)
Open:	MAR to NOV first Sun in month 10-16. Groups (10+): all year after appointment. [2010]
Fee:	Adults EUR 2.50, Children (12-18) EUR 1.25, Children (0-11) not allowed. [2010]
Classification:	Stone Age Flint mine Oldest Mines
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=30 m, VR=2 m, T=10 °C,
Guided tours:	L=50 m VR=8 m D=45 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Robert Shepherd (1980): Prehistoric Mining and Allied Industries, Academic Press, 1980, pages 68-76.
Address:	Minières Néolithique de Spiennes, Rue du Pont du Jour, Spiennes, Tel: +32-65-353478. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

4350 BC	beginning of mining.
2300 BC	end of mining.
2000	inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

The Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes are the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe. They cover more than 100 ha, and are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A large diversity of techniques were used to mine the flint. Open quarries, pits and networks of underground horizontal galleries can be found. Shafts between 10 and 15 m deep were sunk through the chalk, the galleries for the mining are radiating out.