Copper Mining in the Bronze Age at Mynydd Parys, Anglesey, Wales

David A. Jenkins, Simon Timberlake, Andrew Davidson* (Corresponding Author), Kalla Mal, Peter Marshall, Tim Mighall, Charlotte O’Brien, David N. Smith

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The Bronze Age in Britain is now a term often used to include both the first use of copper c. 2400 bc and also tin-bronze from c. 2100 bc, all of which required the extensive use of copper. Prehistoric mining for this metal has been identified in surface and underground workings in Parys Mine, Mynydd Parys, Anglesey, although almost all of the surface workings are now obscured by the extensive deep spoil from more recent mining in the industrial period. These copper-bearing ores are in bedded lodes, together with some intruded vein deposits. The Bronze Age workings have been exposed underground where they have been intersected by the early 19th century industrial workings on and above the 16 fathom and 20 fathom levels in the Parys Mine. Spoil exposures contain stone hammers (‘mauls’), wood fragments, and charcoal; samples of the latter have been radiocarbon dated with chronological modelling suggesting activity took place in the first half of the 2nd millennium cal bc. Although relatively limited in extent, these important prehistoric mining sites are among the earliest found in the UK. They have survived due to their protection from surface erosion and limited accessibility.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)261–291
Number of pages31
JournalProceedings of the Prehistoric Society
Volume87
Early online date24 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements This article was researched and written by David Jenkins. The final editing was undertaken by Andrew Davidson and Jane Kenney (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust) and Dr Simon Timberlake (Early Mines Research Group
and McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge), who contributed additional background information. Further contributions and corrections were provided by Peter Marshall (Historic England) and Tim Mighall (University of Aberdeen) who oversaw the palaeoenvironmental study. Cadw generously funded the work through grant aid. The suggestion to edit and publish the article came from John
Llywelyn Williams, who has worked closely with David Jenkins on this and a number of other significant projects. The editors are also very grateful for the help and encouragement provided by Paul Jenkins (David’s son). Members
of the Parys Underground Group, particularly Oliver Burrows, and the Early Mines Research Group have helped source illustrations, provided corrections and comments, and supported the work. Thanks also to Anglesey Mining plc.

Keywords

  • copper mining
  • Bronze Age
  • Mynydd Parys
  • radiocarbon dating

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