MOUNTAINS AND OREFIELDS: METAL MINING LANDSCAPES OF MID AND NORTH-EAST WALES

by Nigel Jones, Mark Walters and Pat Frost

Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru €*Cadw Welsh Assembly Government

CBA CBA Research Report 142 Council for British Archaeology 2004 CONTENTS

List of conventions vii List of figures viii Acknowledgements xii List of contributors xiii Summaries - English, Welsh, French and German xiv

Introduction 1 by Mark Walters and Nigel Jones Background to this study 1 The meaning of metal mining landscapes 1 Recording methodology and presentation of survey results 5 Access and safety considerations 5

1 Geological and historical background 7 by Mark Walters Where the metal ores are to be found 7 A brief history of mining in mid and north-east Wales 9 Prehistoric mining 9 Roman mining 12 Medieval mining 13 Post-medieval mining 16 Mining in the industrial era 20

2 Interpreting the mining landscapes of mid Wales 29 by Nigel Jones and Pat Frost Craig-y-Mwyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys , 29 Cwm Elan, Rhayader, Powys 35 Cwm Orog, Llangynog, Powys 44 Dalrhiw and Nant y Car South, Llanwrthwl, Powys 53 Gwestyn, Llanidloes, Powys 63 Nant yr Eira, Llangurig, Powys 67 Nantygarw, Llanwrthwl, Powys 71 Nantiago, Llangurig, Powys 77 Pen Dylife, Llanbynmair and Trefeglwys, Powys 86 Penyclun, Llanidloes, Powys 95

3 Interpreting the mining landscapes of north-east Wales ' 101 by Pat Frost and Nigel Jones Halkyn Mountain, Holywell, Flintshire 101 Belgrave, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Denbighshire 113 Eisteddfod, Minera, Wrexham 118 Top Eisteddfod 124 Hush Eisteddfod 124 Ragman 131 Eisteddfod Mine 132 Twelve Apostles 136 Lower Park, Minera, Wrexham 139 Pool Park, Minera, Wrexham 145 Talargoch, Clive Shaft, Dyserth, Denbighshire 152

4 Managing mining landscapes 158 by Mark Walters Handling modern pressures on former mining landscapes 158 Welsh mining landscapes displayed 162

Appendix 1: Gazetteer of metal mines in mid Wales 166

Appendix 2: Gazetteer of metal mines in north-east Wales 168

Glossary of mining terms 176

Bibliography 181

Index, by Susan Vaughan 184