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Spiennes Flint Mines (Ancient Mine / Quarry) — Miscellaneous |
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NOTE! Unfortunately, the mines of Spiennes are now closed to the public until 2013. This closure is due to the work being executed to build a totally new visitor center. |
Posted by Chance9th March 2011ce |
Spiennes Flint Mines (Ancient Mine / Quarry) — Links |
Offical web site - English version |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
World Heritage Site Listing |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
Cave of Spy (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Links |
Offical web siteEnglish translation via Google |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
Cave of Spy (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Images (click to view fullsize) |
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Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
Cave of Spy (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Miscellaneous |
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The Grotte de Spy (Cave of Spy) is one of the most important paleolithic sites in Europe, and has undergone many excavations with many recoveries. In 1886 a discovery was made that still represents a capital episode in the history of science. The excavation was conducted by inhabitants of Liège, and consisted of an archaeologist (Marcel de Puydt), a geologist (Max Lohest) and a paleontologist (Julien Fraipont). This team proved to the international community the existence of a more antiquated type of human, the Neanderthal. Julien Fraipont published a major review about Spy in an American review. The prehistoric cave may be freely visited all around the year. However, between mid September and February there is hunting season, and visitors are advised to be careful. The cave may be visited on guided tours organized by the Amis de l'Homme de Spy (Friends of the Spy Man), a non profit organization. The guided tours have a fixed price for the guide and are suitable for up to 30 persons. See web site for more details. |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
Wéris (Town) — Miscellaneous |
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The area around the town of Wéris (community Durbuy, Luxembourg province) has yielded the richest set of megalithic monuments in Belgium. The current research of the Walloon Megalithic Studies Association (awem) has mapped this megalithic area of about 8 km long and 300 m wide. It consists of two standing stones associated with covered walkways and six sites comprising only menhirs. See the web site for the Walloon Megalithic Studies Association (awem) for more details or check out the towns megalithic museum web site. |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
Spiennes Flint Mines (Ancient Mine / Quarry) — Miscellaneous |
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The Spiennes neolithic flint mines, in the municipality of Mons, province of Hainaut, are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are described as "the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe" and UNESCO cites the level of human technological development they demonstrate as justification for their inclusion. The mines cover some 100 hectares of downland near Mons and are interesting for showing the transition between opencast and underground mining for the flint nodules. The nodules were extracted using deer antler picks. The stones were then knapped into rough-out shapes of axes, and finally polished to achieve the final state. The rough-outs were traded over a wide area, and were often polished at their destination. Polishing strengthens the final product, making the axe-head last longer. The axes were used initially for forest clearance during the early Neolithic period, and for shaping wood for structural applications, such as timber for huts and canoes. |
Posted by Chance 9th March 2011ce |
The Devil's Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Links |
Walloon Megalithic Studies Association (awem)Website detailing the excavation, examination and re-installation of the standing stone. English translation via Google |
Posted by Chance 7th March 2011ce |
The Devil's Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Miscellaneous |
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A buried stone that was excavated and re-erected during 2007, in Haillot, in the province of Namur. See the enclosed web site for details. |
Posted by Chance 7th March 2011ce |
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