It might be of interest that this topic is covered in the Coal Assessment
from the work we've done so far on the NAMHO Archaeological Framework
(England). http://www.vmine.net/namho-2010/research.asp#phase2
From the Coal Assessment
"The main evidence for the use of coal in the Roman period in England comes
from coal fragments unearthed in Roman archaeological contexts such as
villas and military sites. Over 200 examples are known in Britain (Dearne &
Branigan 1996). Tentative evidence has also been presented for Roman period
coal extraction at Wigan, based mainly on the claims of a 19th-century
geologist, Edward Hull, who recorded ancient workings that he was convinced
were of Roman date (Hull 1861). This has not been corroborated, despite the
best efforts of the archaeologists working there and no other Roman period
coal mine has been identified in England, although in several areas
unverified claims of Roman coal pits are made, such as Haydon in
Northumberland. However, it is likely that all mining fields had Roman
activity. More recently, Travis has provided a persuasive argument for coal
mining to have taken place in many areas of Britain in the Romano British
period based on secondary finds and coal residues retrieved from a number of
non-mining sites, confirming extensive coal usage. He was also able to
provenance some samples of coal taken from Roman contexts to specific seams.
However, the work was unsuccessful in identifying the site of a single Roman
coal mine, such is the elusiveness of the evidence (Travis 2008)."
And from the Prehistoric Assessment
"Evidence for the very early (7th-6th century BC) use of coal as fuel in an
Early Iron Age iron smithing operation comes from the palisaded site of
Huckhoe in Northumberland (Smith 1905). Associated with a large quantity of
coal within the hearth was a piece of part-welded iron. It is not known from
where the coal came, though local surface outcrops abound nearby. This
example seems to be unique for prehistoric Britain."
This doesn't answer Mike Shaw's question but list members may be interested
to know the information is there and comment on or add to it if they have
further information.
Dr Phil Newman (NAMHO Project Officer)
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Poyner, David
Sent: 08 November 2011 15:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: stone age coal
There is a considerable literature on the use of coal as a fuel in Roman
times; beyond that it gets much more problematic in Britain. I'm aware of
one claim for coal usage on an iron age site, reported in 1995, but a casual
internet trawl hasn't come up with anything that is terrible convincing for
it being burnt as a fuel at earlier periods. A lot of websites seem to quote
an article in Encyclopedia Britannica that talks about it being used in
Bronze Age cremations, but I cannot find any independent verification of the
claim. It may simply be that I haven't looked hard enough but I am rather
sceptical about claims for its use in this country in prehistoric times as a
fuel, as opposed to a decorative stone.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
SimonB
Sent: 08 November 2011 15:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: stone age coal
Either the Nettlebridge Valley, or, some believe a small outcrop at Stratton
on the Fosse, both sites immediately adjacent the Fosseway (Stratton's site
is under 100 yards from the ditch on the eastern side of the roadway). If I
remember correctly there is some evidence in the Roman Baths at Bath, which
may or may not have been amended since I was last there. Coal ash was
certainly found in some of the offering plates and it appears that coal was
burnt as an offering or perhaps, I may surmise, to give a little light at
various alters.
Simon Brooks
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of W
Krouwel
Sent: 08 November 2011 09:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: stone age coal
The Romans used coal in a Temple at Bath, and it is believed (not sure of
the evidence) that this was extracted from the Nettlebridge valley, south of
Radstock ...
Bill Krouwel
>>> M J Shaw <[log in to unmask]> 11/5/2011 11:30 am >>>
I have been trying to establish the earliest example of the use or mining of
coal in the UK. Wikipedia contains an un-referenced statement on the matter
which is repeated on a number of websites and had by a public authority
'introduction to coal mining' site become
'It is documented that Stone Age man dug for coal for flint axes have been
found still embedded in the layers of coal, in the Derbyshire, Monmouth
region.'
I am not entirely convinced of the accuracy of this but have failed to find
anything better on-line, can anyone point me to a reliable source on this
matter.
All the best
Mike Shaw
|