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To view any of our past lectures please visit our YouTube channel.
One of the major discoveries of British Bronze Age archaeology during the 1980s-90s was the identification of these copper mines, arguably as important as the recognition of Neolithic flint mines and axe factory sites up to half a century before this.
Currently 14 Early Bronze Age mining sites within England and Wales have been investigated and dated; most of these were active at some point between 2100 BC – 1600 BC, the most widespread active period being the years 1850-1750 BC. This range of activity pre-dates the main mining period undertaken at the Great Orme in North Wales, which is effectively Middle Bronze Age (1500-1300 BC), although the mine itself is older. By far the largest group of mines is to be found within the uplands of West-Central Wales, and these appear to be amongst the earliest sites prospected or mined in Britain. A model is suggested for some of these mines, based partly on the evidence recovered, suggesting seasonal mining campaigns carried out synchronously with the transhumance practice of pastoralists, which involved the movement of stock from coastal lowlands to the upland pastures where mineral veins containing variable amounts of oxidized minerals were more readily accessible. Suitable cobbles for use as stone mining tools were brought from the coast, whilst fuel for firesetting the rock was available from the clearance of woodland for pasture. There is no evidence at all for smelting at the mines, and this fits with the idea of ore being returned to the valley-based seasonal settlements for processing, and subsequently being exchanged for metal and other goods with metallurgists moving in and out of the surrounding area. The comprehensive excavations carried out over a 20 year period at Cwmystwyth have been useful in understanding the sequence of exploitation, the use of stone and antler-based toolkits, the use of water in processing, and in the case wooden drains in helping to keep the mines dry.
Evidence for the earliest exploitation of lead ores at these sites will be discussed, alongside the very first indications from the south-west of Britain for the earliest extraction of alluvial tin and gold. Brief mention will likewise be made of the anomalous evidence for pre-metal age and Bronze Age exploitation of copper and iron deposits as sources of available pigment.
Statement of significance: A good understanding of the importance of this large group of Early Bronze Age copper mines to the role of metal production in the British Bronze age is now timely in respect of the major publications on the Great Orme as a source for the Acton Park metalwork and in the movement and trade of British Bronze Age copper to the continent, currently the subject of numerous studies on the lead isotope composition(s) present within European copper and bronze. Likewise some of the recent evidence for Early Bronze Age alluvial tin and gold extraction is equally relevant to the on-going discussion on the composition of the Nebra sky disc – a hot topic still within European Bronze Age studies, and currently an important exhibit within the British Museum’s ‘Age of Stonehenge..’ exhibition.
The Early Mines Research Group have excavated all 14 of the known British Early Bronze Age mines (not including the Great Orme), and 2022 was the 35th anniversary of the foundation of the group.
This event will be both in person at Burlington House and online. Please select the appropriate ticket below.
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