I've heard rumours that Aberllefenni was operated as a slate mine in the 14th century. Can this be confirmed, and does anyone have any idea about how the mine might have been worked at this early date. I'm guessing that, rather like in ancient Cumbrian slate mines, a cutting or quarry was followed so far into a steep hillside to the point where it had to be followed underground to form a chamber, without the need to drive an adit or anything.
Some of our slate mines are 17th century and perhaps earlier. Would Germany/France Luxembourg have older slate mines perhaps? There is a theory that one of our Cumbrian tunnelling methods originated in Germany.
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