Tonglüshan Mine Site, Ancient copper mine archaeological site in Daye, China.
Tonglüshan Mine Site is an excavated copper mining complex featuring exposed shafts, ore processing areas, and remnants of mining infrastructure from multiple historical periods. The visible remains reveal the technical systems and methods that early miners used to extract and process the ore.
Mining operations at this location began more than 2000 years ago and expanded significantly during the Han Dynasty, when the region became an important copper supplier. Continuous extraction by successive dynasties shaped the landscape and established Daye as a major center for metal production.
The mining site exhibits extensive collections of tools, equipment, and artifacts that demonstrate the advancement of Chinese metallurgical technology through different periods.
The site is open on most days and can be explored on foot, with clearly marked areas showing the main mining structures and excavated sections. A visit works best when you allow time to walk through the different zones and get a sense of how the mine extends across the landscape.
Some of the mine shafts descend several dozen meters underground, revealing how ancient miners pushed deep into the earth using only hand tools and basic engineering. This depth demonstrates the technical knowledge and determination required to reach valuable copper deposits without modern equipment.
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