Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes

Welcome to the Prehistoric Industrial Landscape of Spiennes. Located southeast of the city of Mons in the Hainaut province of southern Belgium, this extraordinary landscape represents one of the largest and earliest prehistoric…

You are currently standing near the entrance of the SILEX'S visitor reception pavilion. Directly beneath this sleek modern metallic structure lies a vast subterranean network composed of more than ten thousand ancient mining…

You are now standing near the historic railway trench cut located on the Petit-Spiennes plateau. It is truly remarkable to reflect that thousands of years of deeply hidden prehistoric mining activity were brought to light purely…

The Camp-a-Cayaux hill visible across the valley showcases the absolute peak of Neolithic underground engineering achievement. Beneath this elevated terrain, prehistoric miners systematically excavated vertical access shafts…

You are now exploring the subterranean mine shaft and gallery exhibit area. It is surprising to realize that these extensive underground operations were managed not by full-time industrial miners, but by Neolithic farmers. …

You are now standing in the surface knapping workshop zone of Spiennes. It is mind-boggling to realize that the ground beneath your feet across a vast area equivalent to over one hundred football fields is composed of millions of…

You are now standing before the Alpine jadeitite axehead display case inside the museum exhibition hall. It is deeply surprising that right in the center of Europe's largest local grey flint manufacturing site, archaeologists…

You have arrived at our final outdoor viewing spot overlooking the landscape. Take a quiet moment to scan the peaceful green expanse of the Trouille river valley and the rolling downland hills of Spiennes stretching before you. …