Ostrava Spoil Heaps

Abstract

Pupils from the town of Ostrava investigated local industrial heritage and made a complex research into a spoil heap called Ema. The project was developed in co-operation with the OKD Mining Museum, the OKD Mining Archive and the Czech Tourist Club.

Key words: spoil heaps, industrial heritage, cultural heritage, environmental issues, cross-curricular approach.

Summary

The town of Ostrava, which is the regional centre of North Moravia, was experiencing heavy industrialisation for two centuries. The mainly negative impacts of industry, in terms of both cultural and environmental deprivation, could be observed during the economic decline of the region in the 1990s. However, what was once contested is now being slowly appreciated as a part of history and of the local distinctiveness. For instance spoil heaps are considered to be important parts of artificial landscape created during the long-lasting mining activity in the region. Moreover, they form a basis of for specific ecosystems.

In order to raise awareness of industrial heritage values in the young generations, a secondary school in Ostrava developed a heritage education project in co-operation with regional heritage institutions (OKD Mining Museum, OKD Mining Archive and Czech Tourist Club). A group of 22 pupils (aged 13 – 14 years) explored surroundings of their school to learn about results of industrial activities. Their work focused on research of a 150-year-old spoil heap called Ema, both on site and in the museum and archive. The pupils also observed local ecosystems. Finally, they mounted an exhibition at the OKD Mining Museum comprising not only of information about the past and present of the spoil heap Ema, but also of a 3D model of the heap. The exhibition attracted a great public attention. Indeed, it was for the first time the spoil heap Ema underwent such a complex research.

Project Partners: ZŠ Ostrava, Matiční 5, Hornické muzeum OKD, Archiv OKD, Klub českých turistů Ostrava

Author: Mgr. Vladimír Matuš