Силіцити альб-сеноманського віку, як ресурсний компонент геотуристичного комплексу Хмельницького Придністер’я

Abstract

Публікація розкриває можливості використання автохтонних силіцитів альб-сеноманського віку в межах Хмельницького Придністер’я. Охарактеризовані провідні напрямки їх геотуристичного застосування. Доведено ефективність робити за відслоненнями альб-сеноманських відкладів як оглядовими об’єктами, використання уламкового матеріалу кременів як інтерактивного засобу під час спеціалізованих геотуристичних заходів та як сировини для виготовлення регіональної брендової сувенірної продукції.

Іndividual rocks or minerals that symbolize historical events or unique features of the region are important components of the geotourism complex. They can determine the local specialization of geotourism activities, act as an informational or functional means of its implementation. It is important that it is a visual and widespread material that is easily identified and with which understandable associations are easily established. In addition, for practical use, the material must have attractive aesthetic or applied qualities. Most often, these include ore minerals, precious and decorative stones, fossils, etc. Within the Khmelnytskyi Transnistria, several objects meet the above requirements: fossils (trilobites, brachiopods, mollusks, echinoderms); fossilized corals, which are also decorative material; clays and loess; travertine; marble onyx. An important place in this list is occupied by silicites and, in particular, flints. This is a rock known in popular culture, which is widespread in the valleys of the Dniester and its tributaries, but its direct application in regional tourism has not yet been implemented. Successful international experience, in particular, of the Polish brand "Sandomyrskie Kremeni", demonstrates the importance and economic efficiency of using this resource in the studied region. From a geotourism perspective, the Albian-Cenomanian lithological formations of the Khmelnytskyi Transnistria region can be considered as observational and informational, functional and informational objects and as raw materials for souvenirs. The information component of the perception of silicites in the mass consciousness is combined with two stereotypical representations: “The Age of Dinosaurs” and “The Stone Age”. The first representation can be used to motivate attention to rocks in general, the second to reveal the features of flints. The observational and informational format of geotourism use is most suitable for natural and anthropogenic outcrops, technical and religious structures, and museum exhibits. The functional and informational value of the Albian-Cenomanian silicites of middle Transnistria is manifested in the possibility of implementing interactive geotourism activities using them as a resource. According to popular beliefs, flint is considered a universal material for making tools and obtaining fire among primitive people. It is these resource characteristics that are a priority in the development of interactive geotourism products. The aesthetic and technical characteristics of flints allow them to be considered as valuable raw materials for the production of souvenir products. These can be unprocessed fragments or nodules of bizarre shape, partially processed material, or standardized products.