GÓRNICTWO SKALNE JAKO GEOLOGICZNY SKŁADNIK DZIEDZICTWA KULTUROWEGO REGIONU LUBELSKIEGO

Abstract

ROCK MINING INDUSTRY - THE GEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURAL HERITAGE OF LUBLIN REGIONAbstract. The Lublin Region represents an unusual example of co-existence of mining, building industry and rock workings. The roots of today's industries in the Lublin Region reach as far back as medieval times and even further back - the Palaeolithic. Cherts from chalky limestones in the Vistula River Valley, until the beginning of Iron Age, were the basic supply for various tools and weaponry. Prehistoric artisans, knowing the mechanical properties of chert-bearing rocks and knowing how to mechanically process hard cherts, became precursors of today's geomechanics. Availability of common Upper Cretaceous and Neogene carbonate rocks made a significant impact on the building industry. The defense heavy fortresses, sacral monumental buildings, and magnificent residential and common buildings are typically made of white, chalky and siliceous limestone blocks all over the Lublin area. In the XIX century the Lublin region was pioneering in the cement industry. The paper outlines geological aspects and geomechanical assessment of rock resources in the Lublin region - the properties, which became the base of traditional building industry. Under special consideration is the vulnerability of rocks from the Lublin region to physical deterioration with the passage of time. The description of typical forms of destruction of stony building elements is completing the paper.