Cornwall trip and ancient mines in Cornwall

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fjällvandring
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

I am headed to Cornwall in a few weeks, and I have a few ideas for mines to visit but not enough to occupy three days down there yet.
I know copper and tin have been mined since ancient times in Cornwall, tin apparently being a trade thing of the Phoenicians. I am pretty interested in ancient mining, does anyone know of any remains from this early period, or iron age/roman for that matter? Even if it's just a small stope or cave like the bronze age workings in Ireland then that would be something interesting to see.

cheers 🙂

jeg elsker Norge, landets dialekter, folk, landskap og naturen!

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rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

I believe that Grylls Bunny has been described as a possible "Early mine"
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2928905/460561_2.pdf

wheal
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Wheal Hermon and some of the coastal lode outcrop workings are good candidates for early works around St Just.

poke around long enough and you'll find something..

Peter Burgess
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

The recently published NAMHO proceedings from 2011 have a paper on early mining in the Tamar Valley area with maps and descriptions of what might be visible.

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"Peter Burgess" wrote:
The recently published NAMHO proceedings from 2011 have a paper on early mining in the Tamar Valley area with maps and descriptions of what might be visible.

The problem here is differentiating "ancient mining" from the all pervasive nineteenth century "noise". Sometimes it is really just eye of faith.

That said there are some very interesting and extensive tin openworks on the edge of Luscombe Down on the Devon bank of the Tamar.

Cave Witch
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Hiya! There are roman workings in the back of the top level of cligga the other side of contact shaft.

rufenig
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

"Cave Witch" wrote:
Hiya! There are roman workings in the back of the top level of cligga the other side of contact shaft.

:smartass:
I think that you will find that the term "Roman workings" was a generic term used by the old men for workings that date fom before records.
They are often much more recent. (Or very much older!)
There are more proven Bronze age workings than Roman.
True dated Roman mines are VERY few. 😉

tomh
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Get yourself this series of books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Exploring-Cornish-Mines-Guided-Tours/dp/1873443323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400843735&sr=8-1&keywords=Exploring+Cornish+Mine

Well recommended, will easily fill up your 3 days!

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

http://www.cornisharchaeology.org.uk/index_htm_files/CA25-4s2.pdf

P20 onwards has some info on Roman mining

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

Bill L
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#10

The new exhibition at Geevor - 'The Mines of St. Just' [done by the St. Just Mines Research Group] has a few interesting bits about ancient mines in Cornwall's Wild West

fjällvandring
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

#11

Thank you for all the replies.

I will be visiting Cligga Head and some others tomorrow and the day after which I'm not yet certain of, my friend at CSM is trying to get some info for me on mines which won't be difficult to access, I understand the situation there isn't always easy when it comes to exploring.

These bronze age workings, are they at the top of Cligga Head, the open cave like openings? Likewise another question, there are mines around Portreath leading in from the beach but trying to locate them and finding out there names is difficult, this is one my favourite areas.

very much appreciated everything thank you

jeg elsker Norge, landets dialekter, folk, landskap og naturen!