Bronze Age Copper Mining in Britain and Ireland

O'Brien, William

ISBN 10: 0747803218 / ISBN 13: 9780747803218

Published by Shire Pubns, 1997

Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. Seller Inventory # 353-0747803218-gdd

Synopsis:

The knowledge of metallurgy, first developed in the Near East, spread to most parts of Europe by 2000 BC. The birth of this new technology coincided with a pivotal moment in the human story, a time of great social and economic change which we call the bronze age. Flourishing metal industries emerged in Britain and Ireland, the success of which owed much to the ability to secure reliable supplies of copper and tin. Recent research has uncovered several locations where bronze age copper mines have survived the destructive reworking of recent centuries. This book examines the distribution of these sites and their geological background. All aspects of early mining technology are covered, from the initial discovery of copper minerals to their extraction and concentration using primitive techniques. This mining was a considerable technological achievement, as was the ability to convert the mineral ores to metal by smelting at high temperatures. The daily life of these miners, the dangers they faced, their settlement background and ritual beliefs are also considered. Many of these miners made an important contribution to trade during the bronze age. This book contains recent research on the most important sites, some of which can be visited by the public today, and provides a useful introduction to a fascinating aspect of bronze age life.

About the Author: William O'Brien lectures on prehistory and field archaeology in University College Galway.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Bronze Age Copper Mining in Britain and ...
Publisher: Shire Pubns
Publication Date: 1997
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: Good