Preliminary characterization of the prehistoric mine of chocolate flint in Poręba Dzierżna, site 24 (Wolbrom commune, Lesser Poland voivodeship)

A previously unknown prehistoric mine of chocolate flint, a significant raw material for early industry and trade, has been identified in Poręba Dzierżna, Poland. This discovery extends the known distribution of chocolate flint deposits by 130 km from the Holy Cross Mountains, challenging existing interpretations of its extraction and use in Central Europe. Excavations at Site 24 revealed mining shafts, spoil heaps, and workshop traces, providing direct evidence of prehistoric mining activity. The study combines archaeological fieldwork with detailed analysis of anthropogenic relief and geological outcrops to characterize the site's significance for understanding prehistoric economies, trade networks, and inter-regional contacts.

Sudoł-Procyk, M., Krajcarz, M., Malak, M., & H. Werra, D. (2021). Preliminary characterization of the prehistoric mine of chocolate flint in Poręba Dzierżna, site 24 (Wolbrom commune, Lesser Poland voivodeship). Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, 73(2). https://doi.org/10.23858/sa/73.2021.2.2546