Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region

Factors identified at the time of inscription of the property:

• Management Systems/Management Plans (specify how land development plans will ensure buffer zones work effectively; Need to finalize the creation of the cultural park; Necessity to consider of Heritage Impact Assessment methodology in the management system)
• Quarrying (negative impact of the working limestone quarry in the Korycizna buffer zone)
• Financial resources (necessity to ensure long-term funding for research)
• Impact of research activities (necessity to ensure compatibility of research objectives with conservation plan)

On 23 November 2020, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, the executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1599/documents/. The report provides information on measures implemented by the State Party in response to Decision 43 COM 8B.29 (Baku, 2019) at the time of inscription, as follows:

• Information for progress on implementing the Management Plan is provided, focusing on the establishment of the Cultural Park of Prehistoric Flint Mining on Kamienna River. The State Party has noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the implementation of the Management Plan;
• It is reported that the complete closure of the current mining activity in the buffer zone of the Korycizna component is a process that will take time. In 2020, preliminary discussions were held with the owner of the active quarry, and an extensive information campaign was carried out on the risks to the property posed by mining activity;
• An agreement has been prepared on the creation of the Cultural Park between local governments and the Historical and Archaeological Museum in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski (MHA), and an agreement on cooperation on the organization of the Cultural Park and its protection has been signed between the MHA and the National Institute of Cultural Heritage. The completion of the preparatory work for the formal establishment of the Cultural Park was planned for the end of 2020;
• In relation to the land development plans, which are a condition for the establishment of the Cultural Park, the detailed rules, that will ensure the effectiveness of the buffer zone in protecting the property, will be developed as part of the revision of existing plans and the development of new ones. Formal legal protection of areas of the buffer zones adjacent to the property’s components has commenced;
• A number of activities are noted which took place under the management system, aiming specifically at the improvement of the conservation and protection as well as the research knowledge of the property;
• With a view to ensuring the long-term funding of the archaeological research programme and more effective protection, the State Party reports that negotiations between the MHA and the Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship are in progress.

Progress has been made in relation to some of the World Heritage Committee’s requests and recommendations, including on the ongoing implementation of the Management Plan. In particular, progress on the establishment of the Cultural Park of Prehistoric Flint Mining on Kamienna River, and the inscription of areas of the buffer zones adjacent to the property’s components on the register of monuments, providing legal protection, are to be welcomed.

However, there are significant elements which require further work and clarification, such as the date of the formal establishment and operationalization of the Cultural Park. As recognized by the State Party, this is a key instrument to underpin the effectiveness of the buffer zones in protecting the property and its wider surroundings. The Committee may wish to request the State Party to submit information on the date of establishment, organization, and operation of the Cultural Park and how this corresponds with the Management Plan of the property.

In relation to strengthening the protection measures for the buffer zones, further details are required on how the local spatial development plans being prepared in the context of the establishment of the Cultural Park will ensure the effectiveness of the buffer zones in the protection of the property.

The Committee’s previous decisions recognized the negative impact of the working limestone quarry in the Korycizna buffer zone, to the immediate south-east of the property. The adverse effect of the quarry on the integrity of this component of the serial property is specifically noted in the ICOMOS evaluation. It is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to take appropriate and immediate measures to attenuate this negative impact.

Furthermore, it is noted that the State Party mentions both existing and potentially planned mining activities ‘in the vicinity of the property’. The Committee may wish to request the State Party to provide clarification of the status and location of these activities. Any planned mining activities in the buffer zones would be considered as inappropriate. In case mining activities are planned in the wider setting of the property, it is recommended that the State Party be requested to carry out a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of the project and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in advance of any potential commencement.

While recognizing the actions taken as part of the operational implementation of the Management Plan, it is again advised that the State Party include a HIA methodology in the management system of the property.

The discussion on the long-term funding of the archaeological research programme is welcomed; however, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to guarantee that the research objectives of the programme are adequate in view of the conservation plan.