There is some evidence that the Romans were using (and presumably mining)
coal in north Somerset and south Gloucestershire.
The Roman writer Solinus, writing of the hot springs of Britain, claimed
that “... the foremost of these is dedicated to the goddess Minerva, in
whose temple perpetual fires never die away to ashes, but instead turn to
stones.” This is usually claimed to mean that coal was being burnt in the
temple at Bath.
A coal store has been found in the remains of a Roman building at Camerton,
and the book which deals with this excavation (W J Wedlake, "Excavations at
Camerton, Somerset" (Camerton: Camerton Excavation Club, 1958)) claims that
coal has also been found on Roman sites at Chew Stoke, Low Ham, and
Clapton-in-Gordano in Somerset and at Woodchester and Great Witcombe in
Gloucestershire.
The best place to look for further information might be the archaeology
department at Bristol University.
Keith Ramsey
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