The Neolithic Mines of Spiennes

The SILEX’S in 2022: a moment of escape, combining nature and culture, a stone’s throw from home!
Located in a green setting 7km from Mons, the SILEX’S is an exceptional archaeological site recognised by UNESCO in 2000, one of the oldest sites accessible to the general public.
Activities at the SILEX’S
   

   
• · Museum trail

Located in the heart of a Natura 2000 area, the SILEX’S is an interpretation centre for the Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes, helping you understand all the facets of this archaeological site with an international reputation.
   

   
• · Descent into the mines

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the descents are starting again! Visit the underground mines accompanied by a guide for a descent to a depth of 10 metres.
Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday at 2 pm - During school holidays, from Thursday to Sunday at 2 pm - Reservation required at visitMons on 065/33.55.80. 12 persons max (subject to availability) - 8€ + entrance fee (From 10 years old)
   

   
• · Site walks and nature booklet

Take a breath of fresh air during the 4 walks around the site. Accessible to the whole family. The itineraries are available at the SILEX’S reception.
As a bonus, a nature booklet will be issued to the children so that they can discover the site outdoors from a new perspective. In this booklet, they will find challenges and explanations helping them spot animals and discover more about certain birds, the local fauna and some small insects.
   

   
• · Outdoor exhibition and meetings with archaeologists

Discover the site’s latest archaeological treasures (human bones, pollen, flints, etc.) and the professions involved in archaeology, thanks to a selection of photographs and explanations.
An exhibition by the AWAP.
You will also have the opportunity to meet the archaeologists busy at work.
From Tuesday to Friday, free access to the excavation area of the Walloon Heritage Agency (AWaP) and the Prehistoric Research Company of Hainaut (SRPH).
   

   
• · NEW! “Latent Walk” technological innovation

Starting in May 2022 - included in the SILEX’S entrance fee
“Latent Walk” is an interactive installation combining botany, visuals and Artificial Intelligence. Concretely, a strange Black Box is located in the centre of an enclosed space, filled with objects and images related to botany. This Box speaks directly to the visitor through a soundtrack. Materially, it embodies the mystery of the algorithms of Artificial Intelligence. It also represents a technological challenge because it will allow an exchange with each visitor: from a drawing, the Black Box will respond with an image in return. A unique encounter between the visitor’s imagination and the unconscious of Artificial Intelligence. The resulting image will then be projected for a few moments...
A preliminary prototype designed by Miléna Trivier as part of the European MuseumLab project (Pôle muséal) in collaboration with Click and deux temps trois mouvements (two times three movements). Latent Walk is a research project supported by FRArt, the Art Research Fund.
 
 

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