MPhil

Completed in 1996, Andy Lewis's MPhil is the result of many years of exploration, research and excavation, producing the most comprehensive study of the mines hitherto undertaken.

PREHISTORIC MINING

AT THE GREAT ORME

Criteria for the identification of early mining

C. Andrew Lewis

M.Phil

University of Wales – Bangor

Agricultural and Forest Sciences

September 1996

This study describes and discusses the criteria for the identification of prehistoric or early mining on the Great Orme. Particular emphasis is placed on the geological conditions of the ore deposit and how this has governed the scale and morphology of the extensive workings now recognised at the site. This was achieved by underground and surface surveys of the workings together with precise recording of geological formations through the same areas. The principal routes through the 18-19th century workings were surveyed, concentrating on localities where evidence for early phases of mining existed. Geological recording took the form of logging individual rock strata and associated mineralisation from surface exposures to the deepest sections of the mine where early mining could be identified.

The artefacts and features of the prehistoric workings were also investigated, by a review of all existing historical and archaeological documentation relating to the site supplemented by evidence obtained directly through this study. From this it was possible to distinguish differences in mining artefacts and features between the prehistoric period and the 18-19th centuries. Evidence for prehistoric mining from recognised sites throughout the British Isles, Ireland, Europe and the Near East has also been reviewed and comparisons made with similar evidence from the Great Orme mine workings.

The limited evidence for mineral processing and complete lack of evidence for copper smelting on the Great Orme as well as the local area has also been discussed and possible sites for these operations are suggested. It is calculated that quantities of smelted copper metal in excess of 200 tonnes could have been mined from the Great Orme, suggesting this site may have been a significant contributor to metal production during the Bronze Age period in the British Isles.

This study is the result of several years working both on surface and underground at the Great Orme mines, and could not have been completed without the assistance of the staff of Great Orme Mines Ltd and members of the Great Orme Exploration Society. I would like to give special thanks to David Jenkins for the many days spent underground studying the prehistoric workings, assisting with the survey drawings, and jointly with Frances Lynch for providing helpful comment and encouragement leading to the completion of this work. Thanks also go to Geoff David who kindly commented on this study and whose surveys helped to produce drawings of location 21. Other thanks go to Chris and Nick Jowett and Edric Roberts for their aid with the underground surveys and also Tony Hammond, Frank Jowett, Danny Dutton and Dave Chapman for providing at times much needed comment and inspiration. I must also mention and thank the numerous institutions that have aided research at the Great Orme, including Bangor University, Birmingham University, Bradford University, British Museum, CADW, Early Mining Research Group, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Liverpool University, Minorco Mining Ltd., Plas Tan-y-Bwlch Centre, Portsmouth University, Sheffield University and the Smithsonian Institute. Finally I would like to thank Jane my wife for all the encouragement she has provided, so that one day I would complete this present work.