Bronze Age Mines in England

A. Bradda Head, Isle Of Man - undated

B. Alderley Edge, Cheshire

C. Ecton Copper Mine, Staffordshire

D. New evidence for Bronze Age tin mining in Cornwall – the dating of the Carnon Valley antler pick in Truro Museum

The Early Mines Research Group was formed in 1988 by a group of specialist mining historians, geologists, archaeologists and archaeo-metallurgists interested in researching the origins of metal mining in Britain.

For more than 20 years members of the group have carried out surveys and archaeological excavations which have resulted in the discovery of twelve Early Bronze Age copper mines, nine of which are to be found within the Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales.

The group has also carried out work on Roman and Medieval mines and lead smelting sites in addition to undertaking a programme of experimental archaeology designed to investigate the techniques of prehistoric mining and smelting.

Members of the excavation and research team have worked on other early mining investigations  both in Britain and around the world.

EMRG members have published accounts within popular and scientific journals.

Excavations and Survey of Early Bronze Age mines in Wales

1.  Parys Mountain

2.  Great Orme

3a. Copa Hill, Cwmystwyth

3b. Penparc (West Cwmystwyth)

4.  Nantyreira

5.  Nantyrarian

6.  Llancynfelin

7.  Ogof Wyddon

8.  Panteidal - undated

9.  Pen Cerrig Mwyn - undated

10. Ogof Llanymynech - undated

11. Tyn y Fron

12. Twll y mwyn

13. Erglodd

Excavations and Survey of Early Bronze Age Mines in England

14. Engine Vein, Alderley Edge, Cheshire

15. Stone Quarry and The Lumb, Ecton,      Staffs.

Created by

SustainAbility.Net

This website was made possible by a grant from the Cambrian Archaeology Association

The Banc Tynddol gold disc

In 2002 EMRG discovered an unusual find: a Copper Age/ Early Bronze Age Bell Beaker gold foil ornament, popularly referred to as a ‘sun disc’.  

Post-Medieval lead stamping mill

Bonsall’s Mll, Nant-y-onnen, Cmystwyth

19th century lead mine dressing floors

Bronfloyd mine, nr Penrhyncoch, Ceredigion

Industrial Archaeology in Mid-Wales

Conservation of the Tan yr Allt Cornish Boiler, Ceredigion

Fireset mining in the Forest of Dean

A survey and excavation also took place, at the Great Doward Iron Mine (Pancake Mine) in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire in 2017.