We
visited during the Discovery Weekend on April 4, 2015. There was a free shuttle
bus from the Memorial Museum but we thought going with own car would make a
better idea.
But
it’s not.
We
got lost!
I
was looking for a striking new building surrounded by a meadow but couldn’t
find it. Even when we put the coordinate on the gps, still didn’t work. There
were only few signs on the road. When finally met someone, he told us that
we still needed to walk about 12 minutes after parked our car down the road.
It was so cold and windy. Walking through a muddy path. And climbing stairs. But
the view was okay.
When
we got to the SILEX’S building, saw the shuttle bus parked only few meters away
from the main gate. Hahaha!
In
this interpretation center of
Neolithic flint mines, we
invited to explore the life of Neolithic man by learning how to create fire,
make authentic flint tools and earthenware pots.
The mines at Spiennes are one of those little gems that we
should strive to safeguard because of the exceptional part they have played in
our history. About six thousand years ago, prehistoric man explored the ground
underneath the surface to mine flint. The Neolithic era, the “new stone age”,
marked a change in the way groups of humans lived, seeing new models based on
agriculture and livestock breeding. In the Mons region, which was covered in
greenery at the time, they had to clear the land for their herds. Digging a few
centimetres into the ground, at Spiennes, they came across whole swathes of
flint, a particularly resistant rock that they could use to make their tools.
Over the course of 2,000 years, they would dig thousands of mineshafts, some of
which are still virtually intact today.
*Updated 2 October 2016.
Finally had the chance to descent into this true Neolithic mining. It was amazing! But no photos were allowed.
For reservation: VisitMons office.
Finally had the chance to descent into this true Neolithic mining. It was amazing! But no photos were allowed.
For reservation: VisitMons office.