Random Mine of the Day: 1st Century Roman Iron working.

[bunn]

I was hanging about Kit Hill South Mine this morning, and took a couple of snaps,  but I've already done that one,

So instead I decided to randomly select this, as a change from all those 19th century mines.  This was probably once a Roman furnace, for smelting iron ore. It's just outside a large first-century-AD Roman fort, which was discovered a few years ago by some very surprised archaeologists who were looking for evidence of medieval silver mining.  

The big question here is whether the Romans knew there was a rich silver lode just down the hill or not.
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So this is probably a military furnace, created by troops commanded by Vespasian during his campaign in the South West of Britain back when he was a surprisingly -young Legate in his 30s.   About 25 years later, he would become Emperor.  

Comments

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. I'm all for reminders that the Romans didn't just march around with legions for the sake of it!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

No indeed! Sights firmly set on cattle, silver, gold, furs, slaves and hunting dogs, wasn't it?

[tielay.livejournal.com]

А дорога сделана качественно, по всей инженерной науке, а дренажные канавки тоже были?

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I don't know your language and google translate did not work well. :-(

[ningloreth.livejournal.com]

...created by troops commanded by Vespasian during his campaign in the South West of Britain back when he was a surprisingly-young Legate in his 30s. About 25 years later, he would become Emperor.

That whole scenario's amazing, isn't it?

I do love your mines. I have an unfinished Legolas/Eowyn story that stalled when they were about to follow the baddy into a mine, and your 'nameless shaft' stopped me in my tracks -- it's the mine! Now I just have to bite the bullet and finish the story :-(

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Secretly I want Vespasian to have actually visited and to be the person who owned the Samianware pottery that they found sherds of while excavating, but I suppose more likely it was some more minor functionary or tribune while Vespasian stayed in Exeter. Though I think Vespasian was fairly minor at that stage...

Yay! I'm glad that photo has inspired you!