Great Orme Mines, Bronze Age copper mine site in Llandudno, United Kingdom
Great Orme Mines is an ancient copper mine on the Welsh coast with extensive underground passages that run through multiple levels deep into the hillside. The tunnels reveal the work of Bronze Age miners who extracted ore using stone tools.
Mining began here 4000 years ago when the demand for copper was growing across Europe and beyond. The operation continued through different periods, with extraction methods changing as people developed new tools and techniques.
The site was a major copper source for craftspeople and traders across the region for thousands of years, meeting demand from distant communities. The tools and bone remains found here show how ancient people worked and what they valued in their daily lives.
Underground temperatures stay cool year-round, so bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes with good grip for the damp passages. Take your time moving through the tunnels and watch your footing, as the stone surfaces can be slippery.
Some tunnel sections are so narrow that evidence suggests only children could reach certain mineral deposits to extract ore. This reveals how ancient societies made use of every person available for the demanding work of mining.
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