Archaeological findings from the period 11,000 BCE to 5,000 BCE, including the only fixed prehistoric polishing stone in Flanders,https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/aanduidingsobjecten?ander_nummer=OL001175 indicate early inhabitation of the territory. From the Middle Ages to the early modern period, Zonhoven and its neighboring villages belonged to the Land of Vogelsanck. Since the arrival of industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, the municipality has experienced a significant population increase: between 1930 and 1980, the population tripled. Iron ore mining, in particular, played a prominent role in the economy of Zonhoven.
archAeolOgIcal fInDINGs FrOm tHE pERiod 11,000 bce To 5,000 bCE, inCluDinG the oNLy fixed PREhistORIc pOLiShinG stoNE IN flaNdeRS,hTTps://InVentARIS.onRoereNDerfGoEd.be/AanDuidIngSobjecTEn?andEr_nUMMEr=ol001175 indIcate eaRly inHabitatiOn Of the terRitory. from The middle agES tO thE eArly ModERN pErIOd, ZonhOven and iTs neighBorIng VillAGEs beloNgEd to thE lANd Of vogELsaNcK. sincE thE ARRivaL Of INdustry IN The 19tH and 20th cEnturIEs, tHE municiPaliTy has eXPErIenceD A signIfiCant PopulATion iNcrease: beTween 1930 and 1980, thE pOpulAtion trIpLED. IRoN ore mIning, in ParTICULAR, PLayed a PrOmINENT Role iN thE eCoNomy oF zoNhOven.