Dear list,
Do any members know of British copper mines where archaeological evidence
for stamping mills exists? I'm thinking particularly of the period 1720ish
to about 1830. A site where I have done some survey work on SE Dartmoor has
such remains but some comparative data from elsewhere would be nice. As I
understand it stamping was not the first choice for processing copper ores
and was only used for low grade material. Is this correct?
I'd also be interested in some information on the nature of lodes. Where
iron and copper have been exploited from the same mine, would the two ores
occur together and therefore need separating at the dressing stage or would
they be found in separate lodes.
I'd be most grateful for any light anyone could shed on either of these
queries.
Phil Newman
(Archaeological Investigation, English Heritage, Exeter)
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