New investigations and new ideas on Prehistoric- Roman metal mining and smelting in Wales

摘要

At least ten Bronze Age, three probable Iron Age, and up to half a dozen Roman mines and smelting sites have now been identified (and in some cases archaeologically excavated) within Wales and on the Welsh Borders. Amongst the most recent investigations carried out has been the statistical modelling of many of the radiocarbon dates obtained from the Welsh Bronze Age mines. This has provided us with a better idea of the probable sequence of exploitation, as well as some of the earliest reliable dating evidence for metal mining within mainland Britain. In the absence of much evidence for Bronze Age copper smelting, experimental archaeology has also afforded us a glimpse of how the earliest metal might have been created. The work of the Early Mines Research Group continues to push forward the boundaries of our knowledge in this rather specialist subject.