At 17:52 12/07/04 +0100, Mike Gill wrote:
>I watched the programme on Parys Mountain with incredulity.
Mike et al.,
Having now had opportunity to see the programme (S4C 13:00 18/7/04) I can
make some comment.
Given that the programme was made for entertainment not education, the
equivalent of a glossy magazine rather than a refereed journal, it did its
job. The archaeology was there if rather scant - better examples were
already available prior to the drainage work - but I would value David
Jenkins opinion (off camera) on its real impact on the understanding of
Bronze Age activity on Mynydd Parys.
But the programme did increase the profile of mining archaeology in the
public eye and, given the ageing nature of mining historians in the UK,
perhaps presented it as attractive to a younger age group.
So, when Mike asks 'Is NAMHO going to let it pass without comment?' the
answer would probably be No, but I would be incline to vote for comment
along the line of 'More please', perhaps more focussed on mining history
generally, including other elements besides the archaeology. As for the
more extreme mine exploration element, I'd be inclined to delegate that to
the Deputy Chair.
Peter Claughton (NAMHO Chair)
PS - I did note some inappropriate terminology in the programme, particular
the use of 'bell pit' when referring to what was perhaps a shallow shaft or
inclined drift. Plus a fair bit of artistic licence - note, the aluminium
extending ladders in the Mona Mine (at the end of a 'dangerous' and
'difficult' descent and traverse along 'unstable' levels) last climbed by
miners in 1885.
______________________________________________
Dr Peter Claughton,
Blaenpant Morfil, nr. Rosebush, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. +44 (0)1437 532578; Fax. +44 (0)1437 532921; Mobile +44 (0)7831 427599
Hon. University Fellow
School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies (Centre for South
Western Historical Studies)
University of Exeter
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See http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/mining-history/ for details.
Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
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