Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes

The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes are Europe's largest and olden neolithic mines, located close to Walloon village of Spiennes, southeast of Mons, Belgium. The mines were lithe during the mid and late Neolithic (43002200 BC). The site and its surroundings were option to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2000.



The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites has included the mines before 2000 and describes them as "the largest and antique amalgamation of ancient mines in Europe", citing the level of human technological go in facilitate they torment uphill opinion as justification for their engagement.

The mines lid some 100 hectares (250 acres) of downland near Mons in Belgium and are tempting for showing the transition along plus opencast and underground mining for the flint nodules. The nodules were extracted using flint picks. The stones were in addition to knapped into sudden-out shapes of axes, and finally polished to achieve the precise insist.

The rapid-outs were exchanged again a broad place, roughly 150 kilometres (93 mi), and were often polished at their destination. Polishing strengthens the unmovable product, making the axe- or adze-head last longer. The serene surface along with aids the pungent do its stuff by lowering friction behind the wood. The axes were used initially for forest clearance during the Neolithic epoch, and for shaping wood for structural applications, such as timber for huts and canoes.