Ancient Polish Megaliths Versus Open-pit Mine? A Question of Coal Verses Cultural Heritage
The earliest historical heritage and cultural identity of many Europeans is threatened – by coal. A year ago, in the forest area of Góry in Eastern Wielkopolska (Poland), a set of 5,500-year-old megalithic tombs were discovered. The Neolithic cemetery has the bad-luck of being located right on top of a brown coal deposit, which a mining company ZE PAK wants to dig out. The planned Ościsłowo open-pit mine would devastate the environment and economy of Wielkopolska region. It now appears that ancient monuments are also at risk.
Will a small mining company destroy cultural heritage older than the Egyptian Pyramids?
The Neolithic tombs in Góry are the best preserved megalithic constructions in this part of Wielkopolska. They may be the last megaliths ever to be discovered in the region, as there are scarcely any places left to search. The tombs are an historical testimony that the well-developed farming culture had existed on the Polish territory one thousand years before the Egyptian Pyramids were being constructed.
Funnelbeaker ceramic vases from Marianowo, a site near Gory where the megalith builders likely lived (Image: Krzysztof Gorczyca, Konin Museum)
Are the Poles ready to sacrifice a priceless piece of European history, barely researched and still full of secrets? Do the short-term profits of one company justify such a sacrifice? The “Foundation Development YES – Open Pit Mines NO” believes that the cultural heritage should be protected from destruction for future generations.
A model of a nearby neolithic burial site with megalithic tombs under construction. (Image: Krzysztof Gorczyca, Konin Museum)
The megalithic tombs have been discovered during a random search with the use of LIDAR technology. On the digitally transformed images the archaeologists can see many objects that are invisible to a human eye in nature. The LIDAR images of entire Poland are available on the Internet, e.g. in Geoportal.gov.pl, on the WMTS layer named ISOK_CIEN.
In the recent months, the archaeologists have conducted non-invasive research of the findings. The earthen mounds of the Góry megaliths are up to 90 meters (295 ft) long and 1.5 meters (5 ft) high and are in very good state. Only the outer stones have been removed through years of farming in the region. The rest is virtually intact. There are 15 tombs in total, including 14 unchambered long-barrows from the Funnelbeaker culture, which was widely spread through Europe around 4300 BC-800 BC, and one tomb built in the early bronze age around 3 thousand years ago, belonging to Lusatian culture.
Funnelbeaker ceramic vases from Marianowo – a site near Gory, where the builders of the megaliths most probably lived (Image: Krzysztof Gorczyca, Konin Museum)
The most recognized European megaliths from the Neolithic era include Grønsalen on the Isle of Man in Denmark, Brú na Bóinne in Newgrange, Ireland, West Kennet Long Barrow in England, La Roche aux Fées and the Carnac Stones in France, the megalithic temples of Malta. Stonehenge is a bit younger and dates back to c.a. 2900 BC and the Great Pyramid of Giza – the first Egyptian pyramid - is believed to have been constructed around 2500 BC - one thousand years after the burial mounds in Góry.
The local people began deconstructing the megaliths around the 19th century, to use the stones for construction. Nobody thought of the historical importance of the tombs at the time and only inconspicuous earthen mounds hidden in the forest have made it to the present. However, this allowed for the interior of the tombs to be preserved in very good shape.
The Góry tombs are currently barely visible in the forest terrain. Image: Leszek Pazderski)
As the Internauts say, “Everyone knew about those tombs all along”. But it turns out that the information about the megaliths had never left the local communities who have lived in the area for generations. The archaeologists found out about the megaliths on their own thanks to LIDAR and the information has since spread among history fans all over Wielkopolska, Kuyavia and Europe.
Will the megalithic tombs become a historical monument?
There are other Funnelbeaker culture elongated tombs near Góry: in Wietrzychowice, Sarnowo and Gaj in the Kuyavian region, as well as in Dolice in Western Pomerania. In Wietrzychowice there is a well maintained cultural park and many activities are organized, bringing tourists and archaeologists from Poland and abroad. It is reasonable to think that similar activity may develop in Góry, if the ancient cemetery is given a chance.
Reconstructed megalithic tomb in Wietrzychowice (50 km to the East of Góry). Credit: Leszek Pazderski
On September 27 th the historical monuments conservation authority has formally begun the procedure to put the Góry megalithic tombs on the protected monuments list. The tombs are temporarily protected from that day onwards – which means the mining company cannot get the permit for the Ościsłowo mine until the procedure is over. The final decision should be issued within a month.
If the historical monuments conservation authority decides that the ancient tombs shall get the protected monument status, then the Ościsłowo mine will not come to life – or at least major changes will have to be introduced to the plan, to leave the ancient cemetery intact. This can happen if the specialists of the historical monuments conservation office care more for cultural heritage than for one small lignite deposit. We count on them to remain independent in their judgement and decisions.
A model of neolithic village and burial site – megalithic tombs under construction. (Image: Krzysztof Gorczyca, Konin Museum)
This very week the decision on the mining company’s EIA permit is supposed to be made. Most probably the application will be rejected, as the mine has a potentially vast negative environmental impact. However, if the decision is positive for ZE PAK, the company will be a step closer to getting a concession for the Ościsłowo mine – unless the protected monument status of the ancient cemetery stops the venture. Will the megalithic tombs win with the mining industry? Right now, it is for the EIA to decide if that choice is ever to be faced.
Top image: Reconstructed megalithic tombs in Wietrzychowice (50 km to the East of Góry). Credit: Leszek Pazderski
By Katarzyna Czupryniak
Megaliths za Kale za Poland Kinyume na Mgodi wa Shimo? Swali la Makaa ya Mawe Verses Urithi wa Utamaduni Urithi wa kale wa kihistoria na utambulisho wa kitamaduni wa Wazungu wengi unahatarishwa <unk> na makaa ya mawe. Katika eneo la msitu wa Górze, Poland, watu wamegundua makaburi ya miaka 5,500 yaliyokuwa yamechimbwa. Makaburi ya Neolithic yana bahati mbaya ya kuwa juu ya amana ya makaa ya mawe ya kahawia, ambayo kampuni ya madini ya ZEPAK inataka kuchimba. Mgodi uliopangwa wa Ościsłowo ungeharibu mazingira na uchumi wa mkoa wa Wielkopolska. Sasa inaonekana kwamba makaburi ya kale pia yako hatarini. Je, kampuni ndogo ya uchimbaji madini itaharibu urithi wa kitamaduni ulio mrefu kuliko Piramidi za Misri? Makaburi ya Neolithic huko Góry ni majengo ya megalithic yaliyohifadhiwa vizuri zaidi katika sehemu hii ya Wielkopolska. Huenda ikawa ni mawe hayo ya mwisho kugunduliwa katika eneo hilo, kwa kuwa hakuna mahali pengine pa kutafuta. Makaburi hayo ni ushuhuda wa kihistoria kwamba utamaduni wa kilimo uliositawi ulikuwapo katika eneo la Poland miaka elfu moja kabla ya Piramidi za Misri kujengwa. "Kutoka kwa ""Mariano"" (Mariano), eneo karibu na Gori, ambapo wajenzi wa megalith waliishi, Wapolandi wako tayari kutoa sehemu ya thamani ya historia ya Ulaya, ambayo bado imejaa siri?" Je, faida ya muda mfupi ya kampuni moja huhitaji dhabihu kama hiyo? "Fundation Development YES ""Open Pit Mines NO"" inaamini kwamba urithi wa kitamaduni unapaswa kulindwa kutokana na uharibifu kwa vizazi vijavyo." Mfano wa mahali pa kuzikia pa Neolithic kilicho karibu na makaburi ya megalithic yaliyojengwa. "Kristof Gorczyca, Mkurugenzi wa Makumbusho ya Konin, alisema: ""Kutoka kwa maiti ya watu wa zamani, maiti hizo zimetambuliwa kwa kutumia teknolojia ya LIDAR." Katika picha zilizobadilishwa kwa njia ya dijiti wataalamu wa vitu vya kale wanaweza kuona vitu vingi ambavyo haviwezi kuonekana kwa jicho la binadamu katika asili. Picha za LIDAR za Poland nzima zinapatikana kwenye mtandao, kwa mfano. Geoportal.gov.pl, juu ya WMTS safu aitwaye ISOK_CIEN. Katika miezi ya hivi karibuni, wataalamu wa vitu vya kale wamefanya utafiti usio na uvamizi wa vitu vilivyopatikana. Milima ya udongo ya Gori ni ndefu hadi mita 90 na urefu wa mita 1.5 na iko katika hali nzuri sana. Mawe ya nje tu ndiyo yaliyoondolewa baada ya miaka mingi ya kilimo katika eneo hilo. Sehemu iliyobaki haijaharibiwa. Makaburi hayo yana jumla ya makaburi 15, ikiwa ni pamoja na makaburi 14 ya muda mrefu ya utamaduni wa Funnelbeaker, ambao ulienea sana katika Ulaya karibu 4300 KK - 800 KK, na kaburi moja lililojengwa katika enzi ya shaba mapema karibu miaka elfu tatu iliyopita, inayohusiana na utamaduni wa Lusatian. "Mfano wa ""Funnelbeaker"" ni chungu cha udongo kutoka Marienburg, karibu na Gori, ambapo wajenzi wa megaliths waliishi (Picha: Krzysztof Gorczyca, Makumbusho ya Konin) Megaliths maarufu zaidi ya Ulaya kutoka enzi ya Neolithic ni pamoja na Grønssalen katika Kisiwa cha Man nchini Denmark, Bryn Mawr na Bjorn i Newgrange, Ireland, West Kinneret Long Barrow nchini Uingereza, La Roche aux Fées na Carnac Stones nchini Ufaransa." Stonehenge ni kidogo vijana na tarehe nyuma ya c.a. Giza Pyramid ni moja ya majengo ya kwanza ya Misri, ambayo inaaminika kuwa ilijengwa karibu 2500 KK, miaka elfu moja baada ya makaburi ya Giza. Watu wa eneo hilo walianza kuharibu mawe hayo karibu na karne ya 19, ili kutumia mawe hayo katika ujenzi. Hakuna mtu aliyefikiria umuhimu wa kihistoria wa makaburi hayo wakati huo na ni vilima vya udongo visivyoonekana vilivyofichwa msituni tu vilivyofika leo. Hata hivyo, hilo lilifanya iwezekane kuhifadhi sehemu za ndani za makaburi hayo kwa hali nzuri sana. Makaburi ya Góry kwa sasa hayaonekani sana katika misitu. Picha: Leszek Pazderski) Kama Internuts wanasema, <unk>Kila mtu alijua kuhusu makaburi hayo wakati wote<unk>. Hata hivyo, ni wazi kwamba watu wa eneo hilo hawajawahi kugundua kwamba kuna mawe makubwa kama hayo. Utafiti wa kihistoria wa LIDAR ulionyesha kwamba watu wa Ulaya walikuwa na uwezo mkubwa wa kuchunguza mawe hayo makubwa, na habari hizo zilienea sana katika maeneo ya Ulaya na Ulaya. Je, makaburi hayo makubwa yatakuwa ukumbusho wa kihistoria? Kuna makaburi mengine ya utamaduni wa Funnelbeaker karibu na Góry: katika Wietrzychowice, Sarnowo na Gaj katika mkoa wa Kuyavian, na pia katika Dolice katika Pomerania Magharibi. Katika Wietrzychowice kuna bustani ya kitamaduni iliyotunzwa vizuri na shughuli nyingi zimepangwa, zikileta watalii na wataalamu wa akiolojia kutoka Poland na nje ya nchi. Ni jambo la busara kufikiri kwamba shughuli kama hizo zaweza kusitawi katika Góry, ikiwa makaburi ya kale yatapewa nafasi. Makaburi ya megalithic yaliyorekebishwa huko Wietrzychowice (50 km mashariki mwa Góry). Leszek Pazderski, Mkurugenzi wa Uhifadhi wa Makumbusho ya Kihistoria, ameandika kuwa maiti za Gori zimehifadhiwa. Makaburi ni kwa muda kulindwa kutoka siku hiyo na kuendelea <unk> ambayo ina maana kampuni ya madini hawezi kupata ruhusa kwa ajili ya mgodi Ościsłowo mpaka utaratibu ni juu. Uamuzi wa mwisho unapaswa kutolewa ndani ya mwezi mmoja. Kama mamlaka ya uhifadhi wa makaburi ya kihistoria itaamua kwamba makaburi ya kale yatapata hadhi ya ukumbusho uliolindwa, basi mgodi wa Ościsłowo hautakuja maisha <unk> au angalau mabadiliko makubwa yatalazimika kuanzishwa kwa mpango, kuacha makaburi ya kale bila kuharibiwa. Hii inaweza kutokea ikiwa wataalamu wa ofisi ya uhifadhi wa makaburi ya kihistoria wanaheshimu zaidi urithi wa kitamaduni kuliko hazina moja ndogo ya lignite. Tunawatumaini wawe huru katika uamuzi wao na maamuzi yao. Mfano wa kijiji cha Neolithic na mahali pa kuzikia <unk> makaburi ya megalithic chini ya ujenzi. "Kristof Gorczyca, Mkurugenzi wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti wa Utafiti.""" Yaelekea sana ombi hilo litakataliwa, kwa kuwa mgodi huo una uwezekano mkubwa wa kuwa na athari mbaya kwa mazingira. Hata hivyo, ikiwa uamuzi ni chanya kwa ZE PAK, kampuni itakuwa hatua moja karibu na kupata leseni kwa mgodi wa Ościsłowo - isipokuwa hali ya ukumbusho wa ulinzi wa makaburi ya kale inasimamisha mradi huo. Je, makaburi ya megalithic yatashinda na sekta ya madini? Kwa sasa, ni jukumu la EIA kuamua ikiwa uchaguzi huo utawahi kukabiliwa. Picha ya juu: Makaburi ya megalithic yaliyorekebishwa huko Wietrzychowice (50 km mashariki mwa Góry). Mikopo: Leszek Pazderski Na Katarzyna Czupryniak