Korycizna: prehistoric flint mining

Korycizna is a destination with a clear archaeological focus. The prehistoric mining field is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region. The subject brings together visible traces of flint extraction, the Early Bronze Age, and the field’s place within a larger, multi-component World Heritage property.

The visible mining landscape

At the surface of the site, a very well-preserved prehistoric mining landscape is visible, with distinct shaft collapses, pits, and the spoil heaps surrounding them. The largest shaft collapses are up to 15 metres in diameter. Numerous remains of above-ground flint workshops have also been preserved.

The terms describe different traces: shaft collapses and pits are depressions in the terrain, while spoil heaps are raised mounds that form part of the mining environment. Together with the workshop remains, they give a picture in which the traces of mining are not limited to underground extraction sites.

A prehistoric mining field in the World Heritage property

A prehistoric flint mine existed in the area of present-day Korycizna more than 4,000 years ago. Exploitation of the mining field dates to the Early Bronze Age, approximately between 2300 and 1600 BC. The two statements complement each other: the first indicates how old the mine is, while the second places the use of the mining field in time. The landscape can thus be understood as the result of the very early extraction and working of flint.

The World Heritage property consists of four components: the main mining field of Krzemionki Opatowskie, the smaller mining fields of Borownia and Korycizna, and the permanent prehistoric mining settlement of Gawroniec. Korycizna is therefore one of the mining fields within a larger, multi-component property.

Gawroniec received semi-finished flint axe-blade blanks from the mines. There, they were finished and polished before being distributed. The property thus includes not only mining fields but also a settlement whose role was connected with further processing the flint.

The route to the Korycizna Valley

The route of the striped flint mining trail runs east from Borownia into the dry Korycizna Valley. At the edge of the valley, in the Śródborze section, it reaches the Korycizna mining field. The route thus describes a specific connection between its starting point at Borownia, the valley, and the mining field.

If you plan to include this route in your itinerary, check the latest information on paths and access before setting out.

Korycizna and present-day Śródborze

Today, Korycizna is one of the three parts of Śródborze; in the past, it was an independent village. The statements refer to different points in time and place the settlement in both its historical and present-day context.

Śródborze, of which Korycizna is one of the three present-day parts, is surrounded by forests and lies on the boundary between the Wysoczyzna Opatowska and the Wyżyna Iłżecka. This connects the mining landscape with the present-day geographical setting of the settlement.

Protection of the World Heritage component

The Korycizna component of the World Heritage property is covered by a protection plan. A buffer zone is designated in the cadastral areas of Wojciechówka and Śródborze in the municipality of Ożarów, and Łysowody in the municipality of Ćmielów.

For the wider travel overview: Ćmielów.