Archaeologists discovered burial mounds dated to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, near Ościsłowo, central-western Poland. Now, the discovery might be used to stop the planned development of an open pit mine that is also being protested by local residents.

The are scheduled for pit mine development was recently surveyed by archaeologist of the Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie (Regional Museum in Konin). Their finds suggested that there might a Prehistoric burial ground located within the area. Test excavations confirmed these assumptions. Around 15 Neolithic burial mounds dating back 5500 years were discovered. These are long barrows measuring about 70 metres each and constructed parallel to each other. They were built by the Funnelbeaker culture people. There area also round mounds in the area, which date back to the Bronze Age, and which are about 3000 years old. They were possibly built by the Lusatian culture people.

As the local heritage office plans to include the site into the archaeological monuments list, the local mine development might be put to a halt. Mine’s officials will be able to appeal the decision and the final verdict will be up to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The end of the procedure is scheduled for the end of 2017. Meanwhile the local residents, farmers and ecologists are protesting against mine’s development, which already destroyed a large portion of landscape and drained the subsurface waters.

(after TVN 24 & Muzeum Okręgowe w Koninie)