Muzeum Archeologiczne i Rezerwat Krzemionki w badaniach, konserwacji i popularyzacji pradziejowego górnictwa krzemienia w pierwszych dwóch dekadach XXI wieku / Krzemionki Archaeological Museum and Reserve in research, conservation and promotion of prehistoric flint mining in the first two decades of the XXI century
by Artur Jedynak 
DOI: 10.33547/SeTII.4
In: A. Jedynak (ed.) 2023. Krzemionki. 100 lat od odkrycia (Silex et Ferrum II), pp. 95–126. Sudół – Pękowice: Muzeum Historyczno-Archeologiczne w Ostrowcu Świętokrzyskim/Wydawnictwo Profil-Archeo.
The Historical and Archaeological Museum in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, since takeover to administer the „Krzemionki” prehistoric striped flint mines in 1978 along with creating its branch there (Krzemionki Archaeological Museum and Reserve) has been actively engaging in the process of protection and research as well as popularization of the knowledge about this site. As of 2000, when the Archaeology Department was created, the accomplishment of the objectives became possible based on own professional personnel. As early as in 2001, archaeological works in the area of Great Chambers in Krzemionki were conducted, and between 2003–2004 next, wide-scale research was completed. It preceded the construction of the uniform, underground tourist route. It became a driving force for further development of the Museum. Throughout the next period, the archaeological research led by the institution embraced also other monuments of prehistoric striped flint mining, like „Borownia” along with inherent settlements (2017). These were, among others, the settlement of the Globular Amphora Culture in Krzczonowice (2006–2011) or a multicultural site in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski-Częstocice (since 2009). The findings of the research were presented during a number of scientific conferences in Poland and abroad, along with numerous publications issued; among others the second monograph in the
history of Krzemionki devoted to the site (2015). Research works went hand in hand with conservation operations. Apart from wide-scale projects (safety-oriented to the tourists and protection-oriented to the rock mass), the team of the Museum with the participation of specialists (miners), conducted permanent
monitoring as well as conservation of prehistoric excavations and exploitation field’s surface. An important stage of the museum’s development was constituted by the moment of building its new premises in 2012. Owing to newly-created exhibition halls, labs and reception-administration base, new capabilities were opened so as to run the activities of museal, scientific as well as educational character. In the discussed period, the Museum organized or co-organized several exhibitions, 8 scientific conferences, 8 editions of the archaeological festival titled „The Krzemionki Meetings with the Stone Age”, and over 20 thousand children and youngsters took part in educational classes. Preparation of the application (commonly completed with the National Heritage Institute in Warsaw and independent experts) to inscribe the Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region on the World Heritage List serves as a symbolic summary of twenty-year time of the Museum’s activity for understanding, protection and popularization of prehistoric flint mining. Krzemionki and three neighbouring, outstanding archaeological sites connected with extracting the flint material, appeared on the list in 2019.