Korycizna: Traces of prehistoric flint mining

The Korycizna mining field is part of the “Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region” site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the surface of the site, distinct shaft depressions, pits, and the spoil heaps surrounding them are visible. There are also numerous remains of above-ground flint workshops. The landforms and workshop remains give the prehistoric mining landscape a tangible character. If you are interested in early mining history during your trip to Poland, Korycizna offers a clear point of reference on this theme.

Korycizna in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage site comprises 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. Gawroniec received semi-finished flint axe blades from the mines, which were further worked and polished there before being distributed. Thus, in addition to the mining fields, the World Heritage site includes a settlement where these products underwent further processing. Within this context, Korycizna is one of the smaller mining fields; Gawroniec is the settlement component.

What is visible on the surface

The largest shaft depressions reach up to 15 metres in diameter. Pits, the spoil heaps surrounding them, and numerous remains of above-ground flint workshops have also been preserved. The measurement conveys the scale of the most striking depressions; the workshop remains add traces of above-ground work to the picture. For travellers interested in archaeology, the appeal of this landscape lies precisely in the juxtaposition of different visible features: the mining history is apparent not only from the name of the field, but also from the landforms and workshop traces.

Dating

A prehistoric flint mine existed in the area of present-day Korycizna more than 4,000 years ago. The mining field’s exploitation is dated to the Early Bronze Age, around 2300 to 1600 BCE. These details provide different chronological points of reference: the first concerns a mine in the area of the present-day settlement, while the second places the exploitation of the mining field within a more specific period. This makes it possible to understand Korycizna both in terms of its long history and as part of a defined period in the Bronze Age.

The route to the dry Korycizna Valley

The route through the striped flint mining area leads east from Borownia into the dry Korycizna Valley. At the edge of the valley, in the Śródborze locality, it reaches the Korycizna mining field. The valley and the mining field are distinct points of reference along the route: the route leads into the valley and reaches the field at its edge. If you include the route in your travel plans, check the current conditions before your visit.

Location and landscape

Korycizna is now one of three parts of Śródborze and was formerly an independent village. Śródborze is surrounded by forests and lies on the boundary between the Wysoczyzna Opatowska and the Wyżyna Iłżecka.

Protection framework

The Korycizna component of the World Heritage site is covered by a protection plan. A buffer zone has been 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.