Adam
The possibility of Roman gold mining at Leadhills is an interesting idea and
one that deserves following up in the field. The first documentary
reference to gold in the area is late 15th century and the earliest
archaeological features - at Respin Cleugh - are maybe a century or so
later. As far as I am aware there have been no Roman finds from the
Leadhills-Wanlockhead area. But it is interesting that the Roman road from
Nithsdale to Clydesdale runs from the fort at Carronbridge to Durisdeer and
the Dalveen Pass rather than following the Mennock Pass to Wanlockhead.
Both are natural routes through the Lowther hills and are only a few miles
apart; if there was a Roman interest in Leadhills-Wanlockhead then one might
assume the road would have followed the northerly route. But the area has
seen very little archaeological work and field survey or sediment sampling
in the area of known late medieval gold working may yet produce some
surprising results .......
-----Original Message-----
From: Adam Wojcik <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 11 October 1999 04:34 PM
Subject: roman gold
>Dear All,
>
>I am attempting to write a dissertation on Roman gold mining activities
>in the UK. As a central theme I hope to be able to examine the
>possibility that mining was carried out in areas other than Dolaucothi.
>I am therefore looking for info/rumours/anything that could possibly
>point to other sites. I realise that mining on the scale of Dolaucothi
>is probably unlikely and anything less substantial would probably be
>difficult to detect let alone ascribe to the Roman period. However I'm
>focussing on sites where gold is still found - particularly Dolgellau
>and Leadhills areas and looking at the local Roman pattern of
>occupation/artefacts for clues.
>
>Any help would be very gratefully received.
>
>Regards,
>
>Adam Wojcik
>University College London
>
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